Swimming duo taking part in national championships in Sheffield

Swimmers Andrea Strachan from Lerwick and Amy Harper from Gulberwick are competing in this week’s Amateur Swimming Association National Championships (ASAs) at the Pond Forge Leisure Centre in Sheffield.

The event is the second biggest in the British swimming calendar, preceded only by the British Championships which were held in March. There Andrea made her mark by reaching the final of the 50m breaststroke.

This year’s ASAs is the final chance for Britain’s top swimmers to secure their seat on the plane to this summer’s World Championships in Shanghai.

This is the biggest event for which Amy has achieved qualification, an outstanding achievement. She will be competing in the 50m freestyle and the 100m freestyle. With most of Britain’s top swimmers in attendance just qualifying to take part is a major achievement.

The event starts tomorrow morning with Andrea in the hearts of the 50m breaststroke. On Wednesday Amy is in the heats of the 100m freestyle, while on Thursday both girls will be involved in the heats, Amy in the 50m freestyle and Andrea in the 100m breaststroke.