ASAE and London Partnership Platform and Syncro
The Cambridge Dive Team dominated the Regional Highboard and Synchro event at Hornchurch, underpinning its recent appointment as a talent development focussed club for the East. Seven golds, two silvers and a bronze were duly collected by the Cambridge divers who stamped their authority as some of the most talented divers within the region.
Matthew Roberts led the team in the Senior Mens event taking first place and performing a list of dives that should hold him in good stead in the Senior British Championships in February next year. Matthew performed three different types of 2½ somersaults from the 5m platform as well as twisting movements and an armstand. Matthew also claimed the highest points total of the day in the Boys group A event with 315.8 to claim his second gold of the day. Also diving in the Mens Senior event was 12 year old Daniel Goodfellow who took second place with a score of 198.55. Daniel didn't quite have the same degree of difficulty as Matthew but performed some of the more basic dives to the very highest standards.
Goodfellow also claimed a second silver in the Boys Group C event finishing just seven points behind team mate Sebastian Jaunzens. Sebastian suffered from pre-competition nerves due to knowing he had to perform a back 2½ somersaults with tuck from the 5m platform for the first time in competition. But with his determined nature forcing him to step up to the challenge, Sebastian dived to success and the gold medal with a total of 217.95. Both divers then joined forces in the Boys 9-13 years synchronised event. After a slightly disappointing second dive the young talents then performed the dive of the meet, a forward 2½ somersaults piked in perfect synchronicity, to take the gold medal with a fantastic total of 126.72 from just three dives.
Lucy Cliff again showed elegant lines and consistency in her performance to take first place in the Girls group C age group alongside a third place in the Womens Senior event. Lucy's distinctive style impressed the judges and stamped her authority as one of the best women divers the region has to offer. Vivien Cliff also performed well in the Womens group A event just missing out on a medal finishing in fourth place with a total of 154.75.
The ever improving Ben Sambrook built on his recent success on the springboard and claimed first place in the Boys group B platform event with a total of 186.3. Ben has had some fantastic results this year and his training ethic is to be admired alongside proving that practice makes perfect.
Martin Christensen was one of the youngest divers in the competition diving in the Boys group D age group and at just ten years old he performed some very complex dives from the 5m platform. Martin showed courage and diving finesse to take first place with a total of 97.6.
An excellent days diving by the Cambridge squad. They now prepare for their final event of the year at home, the Harley Winster Trophy Gala on 17 December featuring springboard and highboard diving and a spectacular diving display.
Posted 05/12/2008
