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West Auckland Aquatics - 2008 Paralympics
From Simon Mayne at Beijing
Beijing Paralympics Newsletter 1
The swim team arrived safely in Hong Kong for our pre competition camp. The plan was to be there 8 days but the 32 degree heat and the unheated/uncooled outdoor pool meant training became very difficult. With water ranging between 29 and 31 degrees and despite having an ice bath available I decided to leave early and move the team into the village 3 days ahead of schedule.
The village is amazing with everything that was laid on for the Olympians available to us too. The ‘rings’ have been removed and replaced by IPC logo’s except for on the tarmac of the special lane which cuts out waiting in traffic. The whole place has been given a fresh lick of paint too.
Our first session here was in the Water Cube training pool and the second in the Competition pool. All 3 swimmers have settled in well and achieving great training times which should hold them in good stead for the 9 day competition to come. Being in village early has really helped everyone relax and focus on their particular races.
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Thanks to all those that have sent emails and texts wishing us well. We have TV1 here filming and this will be aired at 11pm but I will keep you up to date of what’s going on here when I can.
Simon Mayne
Head Coach
Beijing Newsletter 3
Hi there
Well it’s all been happening here both Cameron and Daniel have been in action in their best events.
Daniel was up in the 100 Breast S13 and had a comfortable heat. Then in his final came out fast, right on his pb 31.81 for first 50 and out hustled the field for SILVER with a 1”08.73. The gold medal went to a Ukrainian who only recently lost his sight and clocked a time of 1”04.63 a new world record.
Cams heat of 150 IM S4 (no fly is swum) went extremely well with a time of 2”40.43, a 10sec pb which ranked him 1 st overall. The final was amazing he went out in a new pb for 50 BK and was 3 seconds ahead, then another pb in 50 breast put him too far ahead to catch. He then finished the strongest of the field in the freestyle to cement his GOLD medal. He had lead from the 25 and no-one got near him clocking a 2”33.57 A new world record finishing 7 seconds ahead of silver.
These 2 swims brought the teams tally to 6 with the other medals coming from Christchurch swimmer Sophie Pascoe.
Final day of action today here at the Water Cube with 50 Free for both Cam and Dan.
Hoping they both make finals and keep the excitement going to the end.
Simon Mayne
Cameron Leslie - GOLD 
Daniel Sharp - SILVER
Paralympic Links
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10533445
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10532219
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10532114
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10532031
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10531615
Leslie records golden swim
Leslie claims heroic gold (1:38)
Gold and silver for NZ swimmers
Paralympics: Kiwi news - Sunday
Paralympics: Kiwi news - Sunday
NEWS FLASH
DANIEL BELL WINS JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPS TITLE
A great day for West Auckland Aquatics today as Daniel Bell wins here in Monterray, Mexico at the World Junior Champs. It was a fantastic effort as he had already broken the championship record in the heats and then in the semi final. His time in the semi final was a 54.99 which in under the NZ Open record.
To go even better 4 races later he stood up on the blocks again in the 100m Butterfly semi final and went a 52.76 which was also a championship record, so all things looking good for that final tomorrow night.
Hope all great back in NZ, have heard that the weather isn’t the best, so won’t brag on about trying to stay out of the 30 degree heat over here.
Adios,
Donna in Mexico
7 July 2008
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