At the UEA event, eleven year old Finn won silver in the one hundred metre breaststroke in one minute fifty point seven six seconds and added a bronze in the fifty metre backstroke with a time of fifty one point zero two seconds.
Only a week later in Dereham, Finn produced a strong improvement in his backstroke. He took gold in the fifty metre event with a time of forty four point nine three seconds and followed it with another gold in the one hundred metre backstroke, finishing in one minute thirty nine point seven six seconds.
His sister Layla, aged thirteen, claimed two backstroke medals at the UEA gala and went on to secure three gold medals in Dereham. She completed the butterfly leg of the one hundred metre individual medley in seventeen point two three seconds, the freestyle leg in twenty point five four seconds, and finished the full event in one minute twenty seven point five one seconds.
Laylas coach, John Holden, praised her rapid progress. He said: “Layla is becoming quite proficient and is demonstrating consistent form at the moment. While her technique continues to improve, more importantly she has developed a self motivated vibe which makes her face these challenges head on.”
Meanwhile, ten year old Rose Miles made her competitive debut at the UEA gala. Although she did not win a medal at her first event, she responded with determination at Dereham, collecting her first Viking medal after completing the one hundred metre breaststroke in two minutes fifteen point two five seconds, a remarkable improvement of thirty eight seconds on her previous best. She went on to finish the gala with four medals.
Mr Holden said Roses breakthrough reflected the clubs strong development programme. He added: “In her first gala she did not win anything, but undeterred, it was so pleasing to see such courage, perseverance and commitment from Rose. She is a great example to every swimmer at the Vikings.”
