TAVISTOCK?S Sam Calcutt ? daughter of Roger and Coral Calcutt ? competed in the GB Masters Competition in the Commonwealth Games Swim Pool in Manchester on St George?s Day . . . and came away covered in gold!

She swam in the 50-metre freestyle, always a close finish event, and got into her stroke quickly, holding off strong opposition to win by .43 of a second. Her time of 27.79 seconds was a new British record for the 21-25 age group.

In Sam?s next event, the 100-metre fly, she won gold. Second-placed swimmer, Susan Morris, was 1.06

seconds behind her.

In the 50 metre butterfly, a dash where start and finish are important, Sam fought hard to hold her stroke together to obtain maximum speed, and it paid off when she finished first again.

Her 50-metre fly time was 29.27, more than one and a half seconds ahead of Katie Peachey who was second.

The Masters Competition, in this case the Great Britain Championships, cater for many age groups: 19-24 years; 25-29 years, and 30-34 years.

Sam is 20 and the bottom of her age group as she is not 21 until her birthday in November.

Next event was the 50 metres breaststroke, not Sam?s best, but she was determined to give it all she had.

She was away swiftly and used her strength to hold off the opposition. To her delight she was again placed first, winning another gold medal in an excellent time of 35.63 seconds, a win by .32 of a second.

Sam is at Loughborough University studying geography and, of course, is in the swim team. Her training with Robin Brew at Kelly College during the Easter break helped to tune her up for these excellent swims.