Sports
Cayman Swimmers Compete inMichigan Grand Prix Series
Heather
Two Cayman swimmers, Heather Roffey andAndrew Mackay, recently traveled to Ann Arbor, MI to compete inthe Domino's Swim Classic, one of a series of Grand Prix meets.Competing against numerous international Olympic medallists andthose that will represent the U.S. at World Championships in Japanthis summer, Cayman swimmers proved themselves competitive, eachmaking multiple finals.
Swimming unrested, (having recently doneso for Carifta) both swam within 1 second of their personal besttimes.
Competing against others of all ages, theywere amongst a handful of 14 and 15 yr olds, the most notablebeing 15 yr old Michael Phelps. Phelps was being touted in Detroitnewspapers as America's answer to Ian Thorpe, as he is the youngestever world record holder (200m butterfly).
Cayman swimmers were afforded the opportunityto be tested for blood lactate levels, as were the US nationalteam. Pool-side sport specific physiologists conducted three roundsof tests to reveal critical recovery data.
Swimmers from Cayman were invited to usethe International Center for Aquatic Research at USA Swimming,especially for altitude training, something they certainly haveno access to at home.
Locker room stories had our swimmers watchingthe parking lot. As a youngster, Tom Malchow's father had promisedhim 'any car he wanted' if he ever got an Olympic gold medal.Malchow has since earned that medal, producing the third fastest200 fly time ever. And he recently collected on the car promise,choosing a silver Corvette, then audaciously parking it in a Universityof Michigan swim coach's spot all weekend.
The first name recognition and friendshipour swimmers have with some of the Olympic medallists, that attendedthe World Swimmers Party held here last Nov., put them in goodcompany. Sydney Gold Medallist, Neil Walker (backstroke) was especiallyfriendly, as the Texas sprint guys seem to be having the mostfun, while also competing fast and furiously.
No wonder U Michigan is consistently ratedin the top 3 NCAA swim programs in the U.S. Each of the sportsfacilities is old but beautiful and well-used and everything isdone right, professionally and pleasantly.
The entire six-session meet, run by volunteerofficials, never ran more than one minute late of a detailed timeline.
The hall and natatorium are lined with teamphotos and college championship banners, both men's and women's,dating back to 1927. As is becoming the norm in big meets, resultswere posted and almost instantly obtainable worldwide on the meetweb-site.
The last event of the meet was the 200mbutterfly. Both Roffey and Mackay made consul finals, 'bringingback' their 200 of stroke extremely well again, as Cayman swimmingtrains them to do well. Heather was 8th at the first 50m, wenton to finish first by over two seconds in the consol final.
Then came the men. Phelps may be the newworld record holder and nine years younger, but this was Malchow'sterritory. An awesome display of world-class power and speed,the natatorium was wild as Malchow took the lead, imperceptiblyat first. Result: another broken pool record, his own.
It is with Cayman Airways continued supportthat our athletes are able to gain overseas swim meet experienceof this calibre.