A 19-strong disability squad is set to compete at the German Open Championships starting tomorrow.

Multi-Paralympic medallists David Roberts, Sascha Kindred and Nyree Lewis feature in a team of mixed experience.

For the British contingent this meet gives them the opportunity to gain further race experience and preparation in what has been a competition training phase for them.

British athletes have been participating in competitive settings over a number of weeks, with athletes in different stages in this period of race preparation.

National Performance Director for Disability Swimming, Tim Reddish, highlighted the significance of the meet for the British swimmers.

“After what has been a heavy period of competition for our athletes, beginning with the VISA Paralympic World Cup for some, the German Open will give athletes and coaches an idea of how their race preparation has faired,” he said.

“It will be interesting to see how the performances of the swimmers vary as they are all at different stages of training at the moment.”

“This competition is very well organised, and we have taken a cross section of athletes with us. The facility is one of the best in the world, and no extensive travelling has been involved making it an ideal meet for us.”

The British squad is as follows:

Gareth Duke (Swim Swansea) 
Danielle Watts (Oxford SC) 
Matthew Whorwood (Newquay Cormorants)
Claire Warne (Luton SC)
Rhiannon Henry (Swansea Performance) 
Eleanor Simmonds (Boldmere)
Louise Watkin (Redhill and Reigate) 
Nyree Lewis (Leominster Kingfisher)
Sascha Kindred (Leominster Kingfisher)
Claire Cashmore (Kelly College) 
Sam Hynd (Nova Centurion)
Andrew Lindsay (Incas)
Emma Cattle (Kelly College)
Matt Walker (Marple)
Simon Miller (Littlehampton)
David Ellis (Derventio)
Heather Frederiksen (Eccles)
David Roberts (Swim Swansea)
Kenny Cairns (Port Glasgow Otters)

Results and further information can be found on http://mysql.snafu.de/idm-schwimmen/

Competition runs from 24–27 May.

-ENDS-

For more information contact British Swimming Media Assistant Stephanie West on 01509 632236, or e-mail stephanie.west@swimming.org

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