Synchro - sportcentric

SYNCHROBritish Gas synchro squadSWIMMER CLUB COACHOlivia Allison Rushmoor Tatiana Tsym &Lolli MonticoKatie Dawkins Bristol Central Tatiana Tsym &Lolli MonticoVictoria Lucass Rushmoor Tatiana Tsym &Lolli MonticoHelen Morris Reading Royals Tatiana Tsym &Lolli MonticoAsha Randall Rushmoor Tatiana Tsym &Lolli MonticoJenna Randall Rushmoor Tatiana Tsym &Lolli MonticoKatie Skelton Reading Royals Tatiana Tsym &Lolli MonticoLauren Smith Rushmoor Tatiana Tsym &Lolli MonticoJazmine Stansbury Reading Royals Tatiana Tsym &Lolli MonticoCherry Wilson Rushmoor Tatiana Tsym &Lolli MonticoLouise Woolley Rushmoor Tatiana Tsym &Lolli MonticoAnya Tarasiuk Bristol Central Karen Thorpe,Alex Marchant,Tatiana Tsym &Lolli MonticoBritish Gas synchro squadBritish Gas synchro squad staffNational Performance Director:Biz PriceHead Coach:Tatiana TsymTeam Manager:Adele CarlsenPhysiotherapist:Andrew GriffinNational Assistant Coach:Lolli Montico13th FINA World Championships 2009 (50m)197

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SYNCHROEvent scheduleDATE EVENT TIME SESSIONDay one:Saturday18 July9 August Team Technical 11.00-13.30 PreliminaryDATE EVENT TIME SESSIONDay two:Sunday19 July9 August Team Technical 11.00-12.30 FinalSolo Technical 17.00-20.00 PreliminaryDATE EVENT TIME SESSIONDay three:Monday20 July9 August Solo Technical 11.00-12.15 FinalDuet Technical 17.00-20.30 PreliminarySynchro - event scheduleDATE EVENT TIME SESSIONDay four:Tuesday21 July9 August Duet Technical 11.00-12.30 FinalFree Combination 17.00-19.45 PreliminaryDATE EVENT TIME SESSIONDay five:Wednesday22 July9 August Free Combination 11.00-13.05 FinalSolo Free 17.00-20.30 PreliminaryDATE EVENT TIME SESSIONDay six:Thursday23 July9 August Solo Free 11.00-12.30 FinalDuet Free 17.00-20.30 PreliminaryDATE EVENT TIME SESSIONDay seven:Friday24 July9 August Duet Free 11.00-12.30 FinalTeam Free 17.00-19.55 PreliminaryDATE EVENT TIME SESSIONDay eight:Saturday25 July9 August Team Free 11.00-12.40 Final13th FINA World Championships 2009 (50m)199

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Olivia AllisonSYNCHROClub: Rushmoor RoyalsCoach: Biz PriceDob: 13.02.90Height: 1.68mWeight: 51kgBorn: PlymouthLives: AldershotSynchro profilesFirst sporting success: Coming 5th at theage of 10 at my first National AgeGroups.Finest sporting moment: Qualifying forthe Beijing Olympics 2008!Biggest disappointment: Coming 4th atthe Commonwealth Games, just missingout on a medal.First GB selection year: 2005.Tip for the top: Know where you want togo in your life and have a positivecommitted attitude. Have fun and enjoyit! ‘The loser of today is the winner oftomorrow!’How did you get involved with synchro:My family and extended family havealways been involved in swimming and somy mum taught me to swim when I wasjust three. My sister began Synchro and Iwas always on poolside watching and sojoined as soon as I could at the age ofeight.Sporting heroes: Andrea Fuentes fromthe Spanish duet and team and ValentinoRossi from MotoGP.Closest friend in sport: My flat mateBeth Smith and the rest of GB Squad.Favourite sport other than synchro:Rugby Union, Rounders.Three words that best describe you:Easy Going / happy / determined.Would most like to meet: Valentino Rossi.Most prized possession: My family,boyfriend and friends.Biggest influence on career: My familyand all the coaches I’ve had.Favourite venue and why: Ponds Forge,Sheffield because I was 11 and got myfirst set of seven marks for my submarinesingle ballet leg and got a bronze medal.Any other family connections to sport:My mum swims in Masters speedswimming, my dad rowed for the RoyalNavy and my sister also did Synchro.Tips to relax: Going out with friends.Ultimate ambition: To go to as manyOlympic Games as I can and achievemedals for Great Britain.AchievementsOG08 Duet 14thECC09 Combo 5th,Team 6th, Duet 8thBeijing Qualification Tournament2008 Duet 15thWSC07 Duet 20thESC08 Duet 9th13th FINA World Championships 2009 (50m)201

SYNCHROKatie DawkinsSynchro profilesClub: Bristol CentralCoach: Tatiana Tsym/Lolli MonticoDOB: 20.08.88Height: 1.75mBorn: BristolLives: AldershotOccupation: Full time athleteFirst sporting success: Winning gold ingymnastics when I was 8.Finest sporting moment: Being selectedfor GB Senior Squad in 2007 to train fulltime.Biggest disappointment: Not gettingselected for Commonwealth Duet.First GB selection year: 2005.Tip for the top: Never say “I can’t”.Always believe in yourself.How did you get involved with synchro:Through my mum’s friend.Sporting heroes: Gemma Menguel.Closest friend in sport: Lisa Marsh.Favourite sport other than synchro:Gymnastics.Three words that best describe you:Determined, strong minded and bubbly.Most prized possession: My phone.Biggest influence on your career:Meeting Steve Parry.Favorite venue and why: Gloucester,because I like the pool and have hadgood results in competitions there.Any other family connections to sport:No.Tips to relax: Deep breathing, and goingto your ‘safe place’.Ultimate ambition: To compete at the2012 Olympics.Where do you see yourself in 10 years:Achieved the Olympic dream and I will beteaching primary school children.AchievementsECC09 Combo 5th, Team 6thWould most like to meet: MichaelPhelps.202 13th FINA World Championships 2009 (50m)

Victoria LucassClub: RushmoorCoach: Tatiana Tsym/Lolli MonticoDOB: 11.09.90Height: 1.70mBorn: FrimleyLives: YateleyOccupation: Student and athleteSYNCHROSynchro profilesFirst sporting success: I swam a milewhen I was 7 for Swim For Life.Finest sporting moment: Winning 13/14and 15/16/17 Duet National Age Grouptitles with Emily Kuhl and getting selectedfor the GB Senior Squad.Biggest disappointment: Missing out onone place for the GB Junior Squad inDecember 2005.First GB selection year: 2005.Tip for the top: Stay focused on yourgoals and always be positive.How did you get involved with synchro:I learnt to swim when I was 2 and I alwaysloved being under the water. Myswimming teacher said that I should takeup synchronised swimming. So I went towatch a session when I was 6 and a halfand started the following week!Sporting heroes: Gemma Mengual.Closest friend in sport: Cherry Wilson,April Poulter, Sarah Dunford, AbiLawrence.Favourite sport other than synchro:Dance.Three words that best describe you:Fun, Determined, Happy.Would most like to meet: MichaelPhelps.Most prized possession: My Phone.Biggest influence on your career: Familyand Friends.Favourite venue and why: Heliopolis inEgypt as the pools and the wholecomplex there are really nice.Tips to relax: Have a bath or watch a film.Ultimate ambition: To be in the London2012 Olympics.Where do you see yourself in 10 years:Married and in a sports related career.AchievementsECC09 Combo 5th, Team 6th13th FINA World Championships 2009 (50m)203

SYNCHROSynchro profilesHelen MorrisClub: Reading RoyalsCoach: Tatiana Tsym/Lolli MonticoDOB: 15.06.89Height: 1.72mWeight: 50.8kgBorn: ReadingLives: AldershotNickname: BuglyOccupation: Full time athleteFirst sporting success: Gold medal at anovice competition a long time ago.Finest sporting moment: Getting into thefinals at the Junior World Championships.Biggest disappointment: Not being ableto compete as part of the England squadin 2005 due to injury.First GB selection year: 2005.Tip for the top: Fake it to Make it.How did you get involved with synchro:I used to do dance and swimming as achild, my mum saw that a synchro clubtrained at the same pool as me and askedif I wanted to have a go.Sporting heroes: Kelly Holmes, GemmaMengual.Closest friend in sport: Katie Skelton,Jazmine Stansbury, Beth Smith, The wholesquad are close though.Favourite sport other than synchro: Ilike most sports, love trampolining, andwatching the football.Would most like to meet: Kelly Holmes.Most prized possession: My phone.Biggest influence on your career: Myfellow athletes.Favorite venue and why: Garrison, nicepool, and its become home.Any other family connections to sport:My brother used to do Synchro, until hediscovered rugby.Tips to relax: Take time out for yourself,you’re allowed to be selfish sometimes.Ultimate ambition: Compete at the 2012Olympics, maybe carry on to improveGB’s ranking.Where do you see yourself in 10 years:Former Olympian, Training or not, I stillwant to be involved in sport.AchievementsECC09 Combo 5th, Team 6thThree words that best describe you:Determined, straight talking.204 13th FINA World Championships 2009 (50m)

Asha RandallClub: RushmoorCoach: Tatiana Tsym/ Lolli MonticoDOB: 06.04.90Height: 1.65mWeight: 46.2kgBorn: AscotLives: CamberleyNickname: StickOccupation: Full time athleteSYNCHROSynchro profilesFirst sporting success: Winning my firstclub sculling competition age 7.Finest sporting moment: Selected as the2008 Olympic Duet Reserve.Biggest disappointment: Not being ableto attend the Beijing 2008 Olympic trialsbecause of illness.First GB selection year: 2005.Tip for the top: Have a positive attitude,be committed and also have fun in whatyou are doing. Always have a goal.Sporting heroes: Virginie Didieu.Closest friend in sport: Emily Kuhl, BethSmith.Favourite sport other than synchro:Theraband football.Three words that best describe you:Determined, stick and Happy.Most prized possession: Mobile Phone.Biggest influence on your career: Family,coaches, Friends.Favorite venue and why: Any pool that’sout doors as they’re always great to swimin because of all of the air.Any other family connections to sport:My oldest sister Tia used to swim forGreat Britain – solo, duet and team. Jennaswims for Great Britain, part of theOlympic Duet and swam in theCommonwealth Games winning silver insolo.Tips to relax: Listen to music in yourroom.Ultimate ambition: To Compete in theLondon 2012 Olympics.Where do you see yourself in 10 years:Married with children.AchievementsECC09 Combo 5th, Team 6thWJC06 Team 13th13th FINA World Championships 2009 (50m)205

SYNCHROSynchro profilesJenna RandallClub: Rushmoor RoyalsCoach: Biz PriceDob: 20.09.88Height: 1.74mWeight: 54kgTrains: AldershotBorn: AscotLives: CamberleyFirst sporting success: Gold level inswimming at the age of six.Finest sporting moment: Silver medal atthe Commonwealth Games in Melbourne2006.Biggest disappointment: Not qualifyingin the top eight at my first GB teamselection when I was 13.First GB selection year: 2002.Tip for the top: Enjoy what you’re doingand work hard. If you train hard thenyou’ll be hard to beat!How did you get involved with synchro:Older sister started it, so I decided tofollow in her foot steps when I was seven.Sporting heroes: Gemma Mengual.Closest friend in sport: Katie Skelton.Favourite sport other than synchro:Dance.Three words that best describe you:Blonde, independent and focused.Would most like to meet: The Queen.Biggest influence on your career:Parents, older sister and Adele Carlsen.Favourite venue and why: Don’t reallyhave one I love outdoor pools as they arenice to swim in.Any other family connections to sport:My uncle, Mark Winton, top Tennis player,Nick Phips- GB Decathlete, Tia, my oldersister GB Sycnhro Swimmer and Asha, myyounger sister who is on the NationalSenior Squad with me.Tips to relax: Have a long bath withrelaxing music and candles.Ultimate ambition: An Olympic medal.Where do you see yourself in 10 years:Don’t know, hopefully married!AchievementsOG08 Duet 14thECC09 Combo 5th, Team 6th,Duet 8th;Beijing Qualification Tournament2008 Duet 15thWSC07 Duet 20thESC08 Solo 9th, Duet 9thMost prized possession: My Handbags!206 13th FINA World Championships 2009 (50m)

Katie SkeltonClub: Reading RoyalsCoach: Tatiana Tsym/Lolli MonticoDOB: 05.10.87Height: 1.60mBorn: ReadingLives: AldershotOccupation: Full time athleteSYNCHROSynchro profilesFirst sporting success: Wining a novicecompetition.Finest sporting moment: Coming 1st inthe senior GB trails.Biggest disappointment: Not gettinginto the GB Senior training squad in 2005.First GB selection year: 2003.Tip for the top: Attitudes are contagious,is yours worth catching??How did you get involved with synchro:My next door neighbour did it and I usedto go and watch her and really wanted tohave a go so trialed and got in and it allwent from there.Sporting heroes: Gemma Mengual.Closest friend in sport: Helen Morris,Jazmine Stansbury, Beth Smith, JennaRandall, The whole squad are closethough.Favourite sport other than synchro:Football, I love it !!!Three words that best describe you:Bubbly, Tough, Tidy.Would most like to meet: Kelly Holmes.Most prized possession: My phone.Biggest influence on your career: KellyWise and Jenny Gray.Favorite venue and why: Garrison Poolbecause it’s a really clean and well keptpool.Tips to relax: Do something that is totallydifferent to what is making you stressed.Ultimate ambition: To compete at the2012 Olympics!!Where do you see yourself in 10years: A former Olympian, if not stilltraining, then a career in the marketingworld.AchievementsECC09 Combo 5th, Team 6th13th FINA World Championships 2009 (50m)207

SYNCHROSynchro profilesLauren SmithClub: RushmoorCoach: Tatiana Tsym/Lolli MonticoDOB: 12.01.83Height: 1.60mWeight: 54kgBorn: FrimleyLives: HampshireNickname: Loz, Lolly and others!Occupation: Full time athlete and studying fora mastersFirst sporting success: Turning up to aclub session not knowing we had acompetition and then winning it!Finest sporting moment: Winning theoverall trophy at the BritishChampionships as well winning theSwedish Open in Duet and Solo.Biggest disappointment: Not beingselected for the Commonwealth Games inMelbourne however I ended up gettingselected later on, as well as not beingselected for the Olympic Duet Trials 2008in Beijing.First GB selection year: 2000.Tip for the top: Even when it’s hard don’tgive up it will get better and you will reapthe benefits.How did you get involved with synchro:Going to a swimming lesson at the age of11 after 8 years of gymnastics and notbeing able to swim very well. The teachersuggested I join the synchro club thatnight. Maybe I had my toes pointed inbreastroke or something....Sporting heroes: Kelly Holmes.Favourite sports other than synchro:Swimming, Football and Hockey.Three words that best describe you:Caring, crazy and committed.Would most like to meet: CristianoRonaldo and Kelly Holmes.Most prized possession: Car and phoneBiggest influence on your career: AdeleCarlsen.Favorite venue and why: Heliopolis poolin Egypt because it’s outdoors, deep andthe sun always shines. Great atmosphere!Any other family connections to sport:My sister was also a SynchronisedSwimmer and was National Age GroupChampion on a number of occasions aswell as being on numerous GB Teams.Tips to relax: Have a warm bath with anice hot drink and listen to some musicthat you love.Ultimate ambition: To complete all that Iaim to achieve in life.Where do you see yourself in 10 years:Hopefully have completed my mastersdegree ;) and in a full time job involvingsport.AchievementsECC09 Combo 5th, Team 6th208 13th FINA World Championships 2009 (50m)

Jazmine StansburyClub: Reading Royals SSCCoach: Tatiana Tsym/Lolli MonticoDOB: 03.01.89Height: 1.60mBorn: ReadingLives: AldershotOccupation: Full time athleteSYNCHROSynchro profilesFirst sporting success: Winning therunning race at playgroup on sports day.Finest sporting moment: Swimming mysolo at the Junior Europeans.Biggest disappointment: Not beingselected for the Junior GB squad tocompete at the Junior Europeans in Bonn2006.First GB selection year: 2005.Tip for the top: Stay focused on yourgoals.How did you get involved with synchro:My mum really liked the sport after seeingit on TV.Sporting heroes: Gemma Mengual, sheswims like she was made for water.Closest friend in sport: Katie Skelton,Helen Morris and Beth Smith.Favourite sport other than synchro: Ienjoy athletics, such as long lump and100m Sprint. Also team games like netballand football.Three words that best describe you:Silly, Funny but Determined.Most prized possession: Friends.Biggest influence on your career: DianaHughes my coach who helped throughdifficult times and Katie Hooper who wasa top swimmer at our club, I really lovedthe way she swam which inspired me.Favourite venue and why: Garrison pool,the High Performance Training Centre! Itshome nowadays!Any other family connections to sport:My dad did Athletics in his day! He wonan event called Superstars?Tips to relax: Lying down and makingyour self comfortable. Close your eyesand shut off from the world, take yourselfto another place in your mind.Ultimate ambition: To compete at the2012 Olympics and do the best possibleswim.Where do you see yourself in 10 years:Well travelled, Married and planning afamily.AchievementsECC09 Combo 5th, Team 6th13th FINA World Championships 2009 (50m)209

SYNCHROSynchro profilesCherry WilsonClub: RushmoorCoach: Tatiana Tsym/Lolli MonitcoDOB: 13.12.93Height: 1.70mBorn: PortsmouthLives: PortsmouthOccupation: Student/AthleteFirst sporting success: Winning 10 andunder Hampshire Age Groups.Finest sporting moment: Being Selectedfor the Great Britain Squad and beingselected to go and watch the BeijingOlympicsBiggest disappointment: I haven’t had amajor disappointment yet!First GB selection year: 2004 GBdevelopment Squad, 2008 Junior Squadand 2008 Senior Squad.Tip for the top: Keeping Positive andBelieving in yourself.How did you get involved with synchro:I saw it on the television and decided totry it out!Sporting heroes: Gemma Mengual.Closest friend in sport: Vicki Lucass,Anya Tarasuik, Abi Lawrence, but thewhole squad is close.Favourite sport other than synchro:Trampolining.Would most like to meet: MichaelPhelps.Most prized possession: My Phone.Biggest influence on your career: MyFamily.Favorite venue and why: The GraniteClub in Canada because it wassomewhere different and a very nice pool.Any other family connections to sport:My Dad played under water hockey andcompeted internationally in the GreatBritain team.Tips to relax: Listening to Music orwatching a nice film.Ultimate ambition: To compete in the2012 olympics and hopefully more afterthat.Where do you see yourself in 10 years:Having achieved my ambition!!AchievementsECC09 Combo 5th, Team 6thThree words that best describe you: Outgoing, fun and positive.210 13th FINA World Championships 2009 (50m)

Louise WoolleyClub: RushmoorCoach: Tatiana Tsym/Lolli MonticoDOB: 07.01.85Height: 1.63mBorn: KentLives: AldershotOccupation: Full time athleteSYNCHROSynchro profilesFirst sporting success: Winning a silvermedal in 12 & U team at SouthernCounties Age Groups when I was nine.Finest sporting moment: Getting twobronze medals (one in technical solo onein free solo) at the British Championshipsin 2006 and being part of the Team thathas won the British Team title for the lastseven years.Biggest disappointment: Being selectedfor the Junior GB Team when I was 15 (Ireally thought that I would be reserve)then getting ill at the Junior Europeansand not being allowed to actually swim it.First GB selection year: 2000.Tip for the top: What doesn’t kill you willmake you stronger (and not that manythings will kill you!).How did you get involved with synchro:I did a course in the half term holidaysthat was supposed to be a SynchronisedSwimming course (although with hindsightit was not that accurate as we got told touse the bottom as much as possible) and Ireally enjoyed it so I joined a local clubsoon after.Sporting heroes: Michael Phelps.Closest friend in sport: The rest of theGB Squad - but I’m probably closest toBecky.Favourite sport other than synchro:Water Polo.Three words that best describe you:Flexible, Logical, Organised.Would most like to meet: David Tennantor the Queen.Most prized possession: My flat.Biggest influence on your career: AdeleCarlsen and my parents.Any other family connections to sport:My mum used to swim and my brotherand dad play and coach water polo.Tips to relax: Sit on a comfy sofa in youp.j’s with a hot drink and watch somethingthat you don’t need to concentrate toomuch on on the tv.Ultimate ambition: To represent GB at amajor competition (World Championshipsor Olympics).Where do you see yourself in 10 years:Hopefully being a Physics Teacher andworking in a girls private school that has aswimming pool so I can teach Physics andSynchro.AchievementsECC09 Combo 5th, Team 6th13th FINA World Championships 2009 (50m)211

SYNCHROSynchro profilesAnya TarasiukClub: Bristol CentralCoach: Alex Marchant/Lynne Sissons/Karen ThorpeDOB: 12.05.93Height: 1.65mBorn: BritsolLives: BristolNickname: AnOccupation: StudentFirst sporting success: Winning the 12and under Figures when I was 11 yearsold.Finest sporting moment: Competing atthe Junior Worlds.Biggest disappointment: Not being ableto swim at the European Juniors in 2008.First GB selection year: Junior 2008 andSenior 2009.Tip for the top: Think positive and staypositive.How did you get involved with synchro:My sister used to synchronised swim and Iused to watch her all the time and Ialways wanted to give it a go. At Britsolthe starting age is seven and I startedwhen I was seven and a half.Sporting heroes: Gemma Mengual andMichael Phelps.Closest friend in sport: Katie Clark andCherry Wilson.Favourite sport other than synchro:Rounders.Three words that best describeyou: Happy, Creative and Out-going.Would most like to meet: Michael Phelpsand the Queen.Most prized possession: My Granny'sring.Biggest influence on your career: Mysister and my mum.Favorite venue and why: The DavidLloyd pool in Bristol.Tips to relax: Listen to music orvisualisation.Ultimate ambition: To compete atLondon 2012.AchievementsEJC09 Free Team 10th,Free Combo 8th212 13th FINA World Championships 2009 (50m)

Biz PricePosition: National Performance DirectorDOB: 16.08.61Age: 47Born: Vancouver, CanadaLives: FarnhamSYNCHROStaff profilesProudest moment of career to date:Olympic Games 2000 Canada BronzeMedal team event. It was such a hardfought battle to win that medal. Harderbut more worthwhile than any other.Ultimate ambition: To see GB in themedals at Europeans, Worlds and OlympicGames in Synchronised Swimming.Personal – sky diving.Away from synchro swimming I enjoy:Hiking on the West Coast of Canada andsailing, boating in Desolation Sound –British Columbia Canada.Tatiana TsymPosition: Head CoachDOB: 29.09.63Age: 45Born: Moscow, RussiaProudest moment of career to date:Going to 3 Olympic Games.Ultimate Ambition: To get the British girlsto 4th in London 2012..Away from synchro swimming I enjoy:My family, ballet, designing costumes andcooking.13th FINA World Championships 2009 (50m)213

SYNCHROLolli MonticoStaff profilesPosition: National Assistant CoachDOB: 30.10.65Age: 43Born: Rome, ItalyLives: Farnborough HampshireProudest moment of career to date:Athens 2004 Olympic Games.Ultimate Ambition: London 2012.Away from synchro swimming I enjoy:Listen to the music, internet, walking,shopping.Adele CarlsenPosition: Team managerDOB: 12.11.75Age: 33Born: HampshireLives: Ash, SurreyProudest moment of career to date:Selected as synchro team manager for theOlympics 2008.Away from synchro swimming I enjoy:hanging out with friends, movies anddancing.Ultimate ambition: For my companyAquabatix to be successful worldwide.214 13th FINA World Championships 2009 (50m)

Andrew GriffinPosition: PhysiotherapistDOB: 13.03.79Age: 30Born: AustraliaLives: Marlow, EnglandSYNCHROStaff profilesProudest moment of career to date:Working with elite sports people.Away from synchro swimming I enjoy:Being active with sport and travel.Ultimate ambition: Always find challengeand excitement.13th FINA World Championships 2009 (50m)215

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SYNCHRONewcomer’s guide to synchroSynchronised swimming is primarily a sport for females although males do compete.England has been involved in international competition since 1969 although before thisdate, the figures (formerly called stunts) were included in the Royal Life Saving Awardsand many clubs included formation swimming in their programmes. Many of you will haveseen the Busby Berkley musicals that included Esther Williams, who later became a greatstalwart for the sport and campaigned to get synchronised swimming included as anOlympic event.In all Synchronised Swimming routine competitions the music is the choice of theswimmers and the coaches. Swimmers try to select music that best suits both theirpersonality and their personal swimming strengths, but the judges and audience will alsoappreciate the music- the music itself though is not judged.In both the solo and the duet event there are two programmes: the Technical Routine andthe Free Routine.In the Technical programmes the swimmers are required to perform set elements. Theseelements are integrated into their routines with three Technical Officials checking thatthey have been performed exactly as described by FINA (the World Governing Body ofSwimming) and in the correct order. A video is also taken of the routines which, if there sany doubt, the referee can examine. There are two panels of judges: Execution Judgesand Overall Impression judges. The Execution Judges mark the execution of the technicalroutine with 70% of their mark being for the required elements and 30% of the executionof the rest of the routine. The Overall Impression judges evaluate the synchronisation,difficulty, choreography and use of music and the manner of presentation.Newcomer’s guide to synchroFrom the five judges the highest and lowest marks are cancelled and the other three areused in the calculations.The final score is calculated by 50% of the Execution mark and 50% of the OverallImpression mark.In the free routines the swimmers have freedom to include any movements. The routinewill include movements where the swimmer is upside down with the legs as the dominantfeature, and also arm and body movements. When the swimmer is inverted they use asculling action to get maximum height out of the water. The movements are judged fromthe standpoint of difficulty as well as perfection/accuracy. Difficulty comes from includingfast speed of movement, the intricacy of the leg angles and including positions that aredifficult to maintain a balance. For arm actions the swimmers use a variety of leg kicksthat include flutter kick and eggbeater leg kick. The eggbeater kick is used whenever theswimmer is vertical. The legs rotate, rather like an egg whisk and give the swimmer heightin the water. Arm actions are more difficult when both arms are high out of the water andthe swimmer is at maximum height.The judging of the free routine is similar but now the Technical Judges judge difficulty,synchronisation as well as execution. The second panel judge the Artistic Impression,which is a combination of choreography, interpretation of the music and the manner ofpresentation.Again, 50% of the Technical Merit mark is added to 50% of the Artistic Merit mark.13th FINA World Championships 2009 (50m)217

SYNCHRONewcomer’s guide to synchroThe final score is calculated by 50% of the mark for the Technical Routine added to 50%of the Free routine mark. Scores will be shown on the electronic score board.The swimmers’ costumes are designed to add to the overall impression of the routine.They must conform to FINA law, which states that they must be in good moral taste andare suitable for the individual sports discipline. They must also be non-transparent.Swimmers are not allowed to wear goggles unless for medical reasons, but otherwise theyhave a free choice. The colour and design reflect the mood or theme within the routine.To keep their hair tidy the swimmers use gelatine that sticks in it place. A head-dress isused to create a pleasing overall effect.The swimmers usually wear a nose clip. Although not very aesthetically pleasing, they areused to stop water going up the nose and causing sinus problems.As with all competitive sports, to reach this high level of performance the swimmers willhave undertaken strenuous training schedules. These will have included training forstamina, strength and flexibility as well as core body work, usually pilates and dance, andnot forgetting perfection of the routines.218 13th FINA World Championships 2009 (50m)

SYNCHROFormer medallistsSoloGOLDYEAR MEDALLISTS POINTS1973 Teresa Andersen USA 120.4601975 Gail Buzonas USA 133.0831978 Helen Vanderburg CAN 187.8491982 Tracie Ruiz USA 192.3001986 Carolyn Waldo CAN 200.0331991 Sylvie Fréchette CAN 201.0131994Becky Dyroen-Lancer USA 191.0401998 Olga Sedakova RUS 99.3042001 Olga Brusnikina RUS 99.4342003 Virginie Dedieu FRA 99.2512007 Virginie Dedieu FRA 99.500SILVER1973 Jojo Carrier CAN 112.5341975 Sylvie Fortier CAN 130.8661978 Pam Tryon USA 181.4991982 Kelly Kryczka CAN 188.9831986 Sarah Josephson USA 194.9671991 Kristen Babb-Sprague USA 196.3141994Fumiko Okuno JPN 187.3061998 Virginie Dedieu FRA 98.1542001 Virginie Dedieu FRA 98.2872003 Anastasiya Ermakova RUS 97.4172005 Natalya Ischenko RUS 98.2502007 Natalya Ischenko RUS 98.500BRONZE1973 Junko Hasumi JPN 104.8301975 Yasuko Unezaki JPN 126.6161978 Yasuko Unezaki JPN 179.6501982 Miwako Motoyoshi JPN 181.6001986 Muriel Hermine FRA 188.2501991 Mikako Kotani JPN 195.1101994Lisa Alexander CAN 186.8261998 Miya Tachibana JPN 97.5302001 Miya Tachibana JPN 97.8702003 Gemma Mengual ESP 97.3342005 Gemma Mengual ESP 97.4172007 Gemma Mengual ESP 98.000Former medallists13th FINA World Championships 2009 (50m)219

SYNCHROFormer medallistsDuetGOLDYEAR MEDALLISTS POINTS1973 Teresa Andersen & Gail Johnson USA 118.3911975 Robin Curren & Amanda Norrish USA 129.4331978 Michelle Calkins & Helen Vanderburg CAN 183.3001982 Sharon Hambrook & Kelly Kryczka CAN 190.5411986 Michelle Cameron & Carolyn Waldo CAN 196.2671991 Karen Josephson & Sarah Josephson USA 199.7621994Becky Dyroen-Lancer & Jill Sudduth USA 187.0091998 Olga Brusnikina & Olga Sedakova RUS 99.3042001 Miya Tachibana & Miho Takeda JPN 98.9102003 Anastasiya Davydova & Anastasiya Ermakova RUS 99.0842005 Anastasiya Davydova & Anastasiya Ermakova RUS 99.0842007 Anastasiya Davydova & Anastasiya Ermakova RUS 99.333SILVER1973 Jojo Carrier & Madeleine Ramsay CAN 112.9171975 Carol Stewart & Laura Wilkin CAN 127.7331978 Masako Fujiwara & Yasuko Fujiwara JPN 181.8421982 Candy Costie & Tracie Ruiz USA 188.6501986 Karen Josephson & Sarah Josephson USA 193.4011991 Mikako Kotani & Aki Takayama JPN 194.3071994Lisa Alexander & Erin Woodley CAN 186.2591998 Miya Tachibana & Miho Takeda JPN 98.0602001 Anastasiya Davydova & Anastasiya Ermakova RUS 98.3902003 Miya Tachibana & Miho Takeda JPN 98.0842005 Gemma Mengual & Paola Tirados ESP 97.4172007 Gemma Mengual & Paola Tirados ESP 97.667BRONZE1973 Masako Fujiwara & Yasuko Fujiwara JPN 109.7021975 Masako Fujiwara & Yasuko Fujiwara JPN 126.0991978 Michele Barone & Pam Tryon USA 180.7581982 Ikuko Abe & Masako Fujiwara JPN 181.9001986 Megumi Ito & Mikako Kotani JPN 185.4671991 Lisa Alexander & Kathy Glen CAN 192.6491994Fumiko Okuno & Aki Takayama JPN1998 Virginie Dedieu & Myriam Lignot FRA 97.3232001 Claire Carver-Dias & Fanny Létourneau CAN 96.7042003 Gemma Mengual & Paola Tirados ESP 96.6672005 Saho Harada & Emiko Suzuki JPN 97.3342007 Ayako Matsumura & Emiko Suzuki JPN 97.333220 13th FINA World Championships 2009 (50m)

SYNCHROTeamGOLDYEAR MEDALLISTS POINTS1973 United States 117.7171975 United States 128.8121978 United States 182.3001982 Canada 188.2581986 Canada 191.0001991 United States 196.1441994United States 185.8831998 Russia 99.6672001 Russia 98.9172003 Russia 99.5002005 Russia 99.3342007 Russia 99.000SILVER1973 Canada 112.9181975 Canada 125.1291978 Japan 181.5331982 United States 186.8321986 United States 190.8211991 Canada 193.2591994Canada 183.2631998 Japan 98.2672001 Japan 98.0832003 Japan 98.3332005 Japan 97.8342007 Spain 98.500BRONZE1973 Japan 107.3111975 Japan 123.6911978 Canada 177.9191982 Japan 182.0501986 Japan 185.7631991 Japan 189.7531994Japan 183.2151998 United States 97.1332001 Canada 97.4532003 United States 97.5002005 Spain 97.7502007 Japan 97.334Former medallists13th FINA World Championships 2009 (50m)221

SYNCHROFormer medallistsComboGOLDYEAR MEDALLISTS POINTS2003 Japan 98.5002005 Russia 99.3332007 Russia 99.000SILVER2003 Spain & 97.333United States2005 Japan 97.8332007 Japan 97.833BRONZE2005 Spain 97.1672007 USA 96.500222 13th FINA World Championships 2009 (50m)

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