THE twentieth Wycombe Mailsports Classic Long Course Open took place at Handy Cross this weekend with hundreds of swimmers packing out the sports centre.

There were 78 clubs from England and Wales who took part, attracted by the 50-metre pool the leisure centre offers.

Sarah Price, the world record holder for the short-course 200m backstroke was in attendance on the Sunday afternoon, signing autographs for supporters and swimmers.

In the pool, the powerful Portsmouth/ Northsea club dominated the swimming, winning the Wilkinson Sword Award for the top club.

But home club Wycombe District performed well, coming in a creditable third place overall.

Great Britain Junior International Simon Burnett, 18, was Wycombe's most successful swimmer. He won the open 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke, breaking the Berks and South Bucks County Record in the 200m backstroke.

Burnett also won the 200m individual medley and gained silvers in the 50m and 200m freestyle events.

Alex Vine, 16, competing in the open and 15/ 16-years age-groups, won the 15/ 16-years 200m individual medley and 100m butterfly finals.

She also gained a second place in the open 200m individual medley, and a bronze in the open 100m butterfly.

Sixteen-year-old Francesca Wright continued to improve with two silvers in the open 800m and 400m freestyle, as well as three bronzes in the open 400m individual medley and the 15/ 16-years 200m individual medley and 100m backstroke events.

Stephanie Wilson, 15, gained a good silver in the 15/ 16-years 100m butterfly, and made finals in the 50m freestyle and 200m individual medley events.

Anna Pickin ,12, gained a good bronze in the 10 /12-years 100m breaststroke, while fourteen-year-old James Poulter won a bronze in the 13/ 14-years 50m freestyle.

Other club members to make finals were twelve-year-old Anna Jemielity in the 10 /12-years 100m butterfly and 100m freestyle events, and Daniel Gomme ,18, in the open 100m backstroke.

February 14, 2002 13:38