2003
was an exceptional year for Julie. It
began with, the 1500m freestyle at Swansea in June, her first European Record.
She then went on to win three events at the European Masters Swimming
Championships at Millau, France. By the
end of October she had broken four European Records, fourteen British Records
and over fifty Welsh records. Some of the records were faster than she had
dreamt possible.
So
how could she follow the successes of 2003? She thought about the goals she
would set for 2004 and realised that there was only one Welsh short course
record which she did not hold. When she
set a new 200m backstroke record in Guernsey, it meant that she held all 18
short course records in her age group.
At this meet she was also voted top female swimmer.
After
a slow start at the Welsh Open, Julie came back to form at the ASFGB
Championships in Manchester [long course], breaking two British records in the
200m and 400m Individual Medley and also Welsh records in the 100m and 200m
Breaststroke. At the Gloucester Open meet she lowered her 200m freestyle [short
course] Welsh Record. Continuing to improve performances Julie broke the 200m
butterfly [short course] record at the ASA Midlands District meet.
Looking
forward to the 10th FINA World Masters Championships at RICCIONE in
June, Julie hopes to swim fast and bring home a
few Medals.
All the very
best, Julie, at the World Championships.
Well, Julie has returned with
the usual disappointment of a class athlete, because she did not win gold. BUT, she had three at 2nd place
(Welsh Records and one of them British), one 4th place and one 6th
place, an excellent result that most of us can only dream of.
Well done,
Julie!!