British synchronised swimmer Jenna Randall showed her obvious talent in the World Championship pool in Melbourne when gave an accomplished display in her first solo event at senior level.
The Rushmoor teenager went into the competition following an intensive 10-week programme delivered by new British National Performance Director Biz Price and she looked impressive achieving personal best scores from the judges in the 8.9s.
The Judges awarded Randall’s Solo Free Routine a technical score of 42.667 and an artistic impression total of 43.333 to give her an overall points score of 86.000. This placed Randall in 16th less than 2.5points off a top 12 spot in the final.
“The overall presentation showed a lot of improvement from Jenna,” said Price. “She’s worked on her strength and she was a lot higher out of the water and the strokes were good.
“She really pushed through the first part of the routine and looked like she tired towards the end but this is something we’re working on and she’s already come a long way.
Price has been delighted with the improvements made by her squad since she took over the reigns at British Syncho at the turn of the year.
“It was a real strong effort and that’s what we want to see,” she explained. “The technical aspects were good but it was the effort that I was pleased with the most. It was another good job by Jenna.”
“Her score showed we’re closing the gap on some of the most established synchro nations. There wasn’t a lot of room between Jenna and some of the big names out there today and that will close even further as we look to Beijing and the 2012 London Olympics.”
For Jenna, on day two of her first senior international competition, the teenager took everything at the Rod Laver Arena in her stride and was pleased to have shown what she’s capable of.
“I was really happy with this morning. I beat the Austrian which was a personal goal as we tied with them in the duet yesterday and they’re a close rival at the moment,” said Randall.
“I’ve had that routine for about a year now and I’ve performed it at a number of competitions but that was by far the best. I was in early this morning getting my heart rate up and my muscles warm, and it worked well for me which the judges reflected.
“My aim was to do the best swim that I could and get good marks. That’s what I did so I’m happy. I was pleased with the scores which included some 8.9s, in that regard it’s a personal best.”
-ends-
The 12th FINA World Championships will take place from 17th March until 1st April 2007.
The British Sychro squad comprises:
Olivia Allison (Rushmoor)
Jenna Randall (Rushmoor)
Lauren Smith (Rushmoor)
Synchro takes place from 17th to 24th March
Diving takes place from 19th to 26th March.
Swimming takes place from 25th March to 1st April.
Open Water takes place from 18th to 25th March.
For further details contact Dave Richards, British Swimming Media Manager, on 01509 632237, 0778 992 6136 or email dave.richards@swimming.org
British Swimming is the National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo and Open Water in Great Britain. It is responsible internationally for the high performance representation of the sport. The members of British Swimming are the three Home Countries national governing bodies of England (Amateur Swimming Association), Scotland (Scottish Amateur Swimming Association) and Wales. (Welsh Amateur Swimming Association) British Swimming seeks to enable its athletes to achieve gold medal success at the Olympics, Paralympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games.
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