Jess

28 Apr 2024

Redwood Trophy Victory

What an extraordinary weekend it has been for Salford Synchronised Swimming Club as we clinched our inaugural Redwood Trophy at the GoCardless Swim England Artistic Swimming National Championships 2024.

Following our triumph in the Free Team category yesterday, our squad continued to shine by securing victory in the Technical Team event, thus claiming the prestigious Redwood Trophy for the first time in our club's history. With an impeccable routine that garnered no basemarks, we achieved an outstanding overall score of 146.0683, comprising 68.1500 for artistic impression and 77.9183 for elements.

Reflecting on this momentous achievement, I find myself at a loss for words. We entered the competition with a comfortable lead from yesterday, but we remained vigilant, understanding the volatility of the new scoring system. The determination and dedication exhibited by our swimmers were truly commendable. Our winning squad, composed of Abby Foster, Cajsa Jonsson, Eva Lawrence, Libby Taylor, Lotti Horsman, Sophie Flemming, Sophie Rowney, and Zoe Taylor, with Caitlyn Brook as reserve, demonstrated the culmination of relentless hard work and unwavering commitment.

This year's National Championships marked the introduction of the new scoring system, and our success, devoid of any basemarks, underscores the fruition of our laborious preparation. Adapting to the nuances of the new system presented its challenges, requiring us to refine our choreography and streamline our training regimen. I express my gratitude to the artistic swimming community for their invaluable support and collaboration throughout this transitional period. The camaraderie within the head coaches' WhatsApp group has been instrumental in navigating these changes effectively. In addition to our triumph, I extend my congratulations to Rugby Artistic Swimming Club for their commendable performance, securing the second position in both the Technical Team event and the overall Redwood standings. Furthermore, I commend City of Bristol and Reading Royals for their podium finishes, highlighting the spirit of competition and excellence pervading the championships. Amidst our collective success,

I am thrilled to announce that Sophie Flemming has been bestowed with the prestigious Holland Trophy, recognizing her exceptional performance across all events throughout the weekend. Her resilience in overcoming injury earlier in the season exemplifies the epitome of determination and fortitude. As we bask in the glory of our achievements, I remain immensely proud of each member of our club, whose unwavering dedication and indomitable spirit have propelled us to this historic moment.

For detailed scores and results from the GoCardless Swim England Artistic Swimming National Championships 2024, please see https://www.swimming.org/artistic-swimming/artistic-national-champs-2024-live-scoreboard/