Youth Commonwealth Games

 While most sports fans have their eyes firmly fixed on Eden Park tonight, a group of young New Zealand swimmers splash into action on the opening day of the Youth Commonwealth Games on the Isle of Man.

 They are in action tonight (NZ time) in the first day of heats with the Swimming New Zealand team ranked in the top eight fastest on entry times in seven events.

Leading the way is Christchurch’s super 16 year old Sophia Batchelor, who is in three events on the opening day. She is ranked fourth fastest in the 50m butterfly, fifth in the 200m backstroke and sixth in the 100m freestyle in a busy opening day.

No doubt Batchelor (Aquagym) will be looking to pace herself through to the finals in her morning heat swims in what will be a massive campaign.
Other swimmers with top-eight rankings include Natasha Lloyd (North Canterbury), eighth fastest on entry times for the 100m breaststroke, Corey Main (Howick Pakuranga) sixth fastest in the 200m backstroke, Kate Godfrey (Neptune, Otago) seventh in the 200m backstroke and Alex Hancock (Howick Pakuranga) fourth fastest entry time in the 50m butterfly.

The New Zealand team are all in action today with Matthew Hutchins (Wharenui) and Michael Mincham (Waterhole, Auckland) ranked 13th and 22nd fastest respectively in the 200m freestyle and Emma Robinson (Capital) 10th fastest in the 800m freestyle.

The fourth Youth Commonwealth Games, involving 1000 athletes from 70 countries in seven sports, with the swim team part of a 29-strong New Zealand team that include young Kiwi athletes, boxers and gymnasts.