Bucks sportsmen gear up for Commonwealth Games (From Bucks Free Press)

Bucks sportsmen gear up for Commonwealth Games

SOUTH Bucks athletes are preparing for the Commonwealth Games in Manchester next month with a series of pre-Games meets.

And it looks as if preparations are going to plan for many of them after a number of successes at the weekend.

In rowing, Emily Booker had a double win at the Dockland's Regatta in England's Commonwealth Games selected crew.

The Great Marlow teacher, accompanied by former Marlow Rowing Club junior Victoria Richmond, won the quad sculls in a tough race, finishing in 7mins 12 secs to win by two lengths.

And the team carried on the form with a second win on Sunday.

Next up is the Henley Regatta where they will face the Irish Commonwealth Games team.

In swimming, Simon Burnett, 19, continued his preparations by competing in the British Super Grand Prix meet in Glasgow. Despite his heavy training schedule, Burnett did well, finishing fifth in the 100m backstroke and sixth in the 100m freestyle finals.

The Wycombe District Swimming Club member has now moved on to France for a week's training with the British men's squad.

But ex-Amersham student Michelle Bushell went even better than Burnett at the same meet when she won the 50m backstroke.

After swimming the fastest time in the semi-final, the Welsh wonder picked up the gold with another 31-second race.

Bushell has now returned to university in Bath for the remainder of June before joining the rest of the Welsh team at Millfield in July.

Meanwhile, Sir William Borlase's teacher Hayley Yelling is in the running to be selected for England's 5,000m team. Yelling is competing in the Commonwealth trials this weekend at Manchester and will be up against her sister-in-law Liz, who is competing in the same event.

The 28-year-old will be looking to be representing her country again after being picked for the World Championships last year.

June 14, 2002 11:00