FOURTEEN gold medals were won by Ely swimmers in the County Championships at the weekend. The City of Ely Swimming Club sent a team of 18 swimmers to the annual event at Peterborough, and to add to the hugely impressive gold medal haul; four silver and ei

FOURTEEN gold medals were won by Ely swimmers in the County Championships at the weekend.

The City of Ely Swimming Club sent a team of 18 swimmers to the annual event at Peterborough, and to add to the hugely impressive gold medal haul; four silver and eight bronze medals were won. There were also 11 pennants awarded to Ely swimmers for fourth, fifth and sixth place overall.

Nine-year-old Alan Gregory was entering the competition for the first time, and brought home two gold medals, for the 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle.

Two senior swimmers also excelled: Chris Paines won four golds, for 200m breaststroke, 100m and 200m freestyle, and 200m backstroke, and two silvers, for 100m individual medley and 100m butterfly. While Shane Sanigar collected five gold medals, for 100m butterfly, 100m individual medley, 200m freestyle, and 100m and 200m backstroke.

The three other gold medal winners were: Alice Owen, for 50m breaststroke, Camilla Lontay, 100m freestyle, and Sarah Hardiment for 200m breaststroke.

Of the 60 individual events Ely Swimmers entered, 50 recorded personal best times.

Club chairman Alan Kirby said: "We are delighted at how well our swimmers performed over the weekend.

"The aim is always for them to do their best and they certainly did that by breaking their own best times so frequently. It is so rewarding to see our established

swimmers continuing to do well and it is just as exciting to see our newer swimmers enter this major competition and come away with so many top medals."

Ely Swimming Club trains at the Paradise Pool on Mondays (7.30pm to 9pm), Wednesdays (7pm to 9pm), Thursdays (7pm to 8pm) and Sunday mornings (8am to 10am).

New members of all ages are always welcome - just go along to any session for a trial.