AT the Great Britain Masters Swim Championships held on October 29-30-31 more than 1,000 masters competed. Some are ex-international swimmers who want to continue their sport of swimming, others who enjoy racing and the lovely atmosphere there always is at these events. The spacing of five-year age groups: 25-30, 30-35, ensures a fair chance to compete. Tavistock?s Samantha Calcutt was in action. Her summer training was at Kelly College under Robin and Archie Brew and at Loughborough University where she is studying Geography. Sam?s first event was the 50-metre breaststroke and she made it into the final. Sam had a very good start and at halfway she was just ahead. Then Sam pushed up the pace to come in first with a personal best time of 34.43. Sam?s time was .81 inside the Masters 50 mtrs breaststroke best time and was a new British record. Next event was 200 fly. Sam was neck and neck with Susan Morris (age 23) and at 50 metres Sam was .54 of a second in second place and the race was really on. On the last length both of them fought hard and Susan Morris pipped Sam by .39 of a second. Sam?s time was 1.07.00 and she won a Silver Medal. 50 metres butterfly was an event Sam looks forward to and after coming second in the 100 metres fly Sam was psyched up at the start. Sam powered to another Gold Medal, only .94 of a second outside the British Record for her age group (19-24 years. Sam was 21 in November). The 50-metre freestyle was next. Sam powered to the finish with yet another gold medal. Sam had the 100 metres freestyle to go and she fought hard and at 50 metres Sam was in a good position as four of them were all level. Then Sam?s energy ran out and although the time was 60.21, Sam came fourth ? 1.21 seconds behind the winner. Sam?s excellent efforts won her three gold, one silver and one British record.
