Sasol National Winter Swimming Championships 2013 a record success

The 42^nd Sasol National Winter Swimming Championships proved to be one of the most successful events to date, with an all-time high of 15 records broken. Held at the Penny Heyns Swimming Pool in Sasolburg over the week of 24 to 29 June 2013, swimmers from across South Africa and neighbouring countries participated.

Ude Fuchs from Progress Swimming Club in Polokwane, on a winning streak, broke the record for the 50m backstroke (15 year old), with a time of 28.82. The record was previously set by Wessel Ludick in 2008 with a time of 30.15.

Fuchs said, “To break a record is a great achievement, as training commences at the beginning of the year for the event.  I look forward to the Sasol National Winter Swimming Championships, as it is the first gala event of the season and new swimming times are set.”

Tanya Pieterse swimming for Kovsies, Ethan de Wit also with Kovies and Cullen Thomas from Welkom Aquatics each have two new records against their names. 

The week-long event, is accredited by Swim South Africa and has been a starting block for many aspiring Olympic swimmers. These include Penny Heyns, Mandy Loots, Chad Le Clos, Terence Parkin and Roland Schoeman, amongst others.

Olympian and gold medalist, Ryk Neethling, who previously competed at the event said, “The Sasol National Winter Swimming Championship was definitely very instrumental in my growth as a swimmer. The competition was tough and it taught me to focus under adversity (cold weather and long days).”

Neethling’s 1987 record for the 50m backstroke (under 10) was almost broken by Zander Landman who missed the record time by 0.04 seconds.   

Ivor Zwane, General Manager: Public Affairs, Sasol Sasolburg said, “Sasol believes in building great South Africans through our many sponsorship programmes. We believe that this event will assist with the growth and development of some of the participants to become South Africa’s future champions”.

Captions:

DSC0378:  Ude Fuchs from Progress Swimming Academy led his team to victory in the 200m medley relay setting a new record time of 1:56.64

DSC0263:  Cullen Thomas from Welkom Aquatics powered through the 50m backstroke setting a new record time of 31.68

DSC0138:  Marizel van Jaarsveld set the record time of 2:58.43 in the 200m breaststroke (13 year old)

DSC0171:  Ivor Zwane, General Manager Public Affairs Sasol, Sasolburg presented the senior girl award to Suzanne Janse van Rensburg from Progress Swimming Academy

DSC0089:  Ivor Zwane, General Manager Public Affairs Sasol, Sasolburg presents the winners of the 100m backstroke (13 year old) with their prizes. From left: Anja Boucher in 2^nd place (Potchefstroom), Tanya Pieterse in 1^st place (Harties) and Laura Lennox in 3^rd place (Progress Swimming Academy)

Ends

Issued by:

Cobus Jansen, Communication Manager : Sasol, Sasolburg
Direct telephone +27 (16) 960 2646; Mobile +27 (0) 82 410 6882;
cobus.jansen@sasol.com

Alex Anderson, Group Media Manager
Direct telephone +27 (11) 441 3295; Mobile +27 (0) 71 600 9605;
alex.anderson@sasol.com

Jacqui O’Sullivan, GM: Group Communication
Direct telephone +27 (11) 441 3252; Mobile +27 (0) 82 883 9697;
jacqui.osullivan@sasol.com