Victoria Fisher, 13, swam in her first ever ASA National Championships on Saturday 25th July at Ponds Forge in Sheffield.
Back in January, Vickie swam a fantastic PB on her 100m backstroke, in a time of 1.09.55. With a short course National Qualifying Time of 1.09.22 now clearly attainable, her parents realised they may have to re-arrange their holiday plans so that she’d be free in July for the trip up to Sheffield!
Vickie hoped to knock off the few tenths of a second required when she went to Counties. But unfortunately, she suffered a blow to the head instead, having failed to see the flags before making a turn. Undeterred, Vickie went to the Watford Open where she took a whole second off her time, clearing her first NQT in 1.08.55.
Next it was up to Coventry for the Open meet for some long course practice before Regionals. There, Vickie put in a time of 1.11.27, hitting the long course NQT on the nail exactly.
At the Regional Championships in June, Vickie concentrated on racing her opponents and managed to come away with a PB of 1.10.95 in the heats and a bronze medal in the final.
Vickie and her parents came home early from their holiday so she could compete in Sheffield last Saturday. Admitting to nerves at her first Nationals appearance, she put in a time of 1.12.29, a little outside her PB. She is already close to her qualifying time for next year and hopes to return with the benefit of this year’s experience behind her.
To see a photo of Vickie with her Regionals medal, go to the photos section of the website,