Among many top international swimmers in this squad is Keri-Anne Payne, (Johannesburg born) 2009 world champion and Olympic silver medallist. The young woman outraced everybody at the Pretoria News Roode 1000 Swim at the Baja Dam in Bronkhorstspruit on Sunday 3 February. She won the ladies main event with 11:27.7 almost a minute faster than the fastest of the men’s contestants, Tyron Venter of SA. Two other members of the British team currently training at the hpc, Olympic bronze medallist Casandra Patten and Abbie Anderson won the other two gold medals, followed by last year’s top three, Karlien v Heerden, Megan Gomes and Michelle Pistorius.

The team will be competing in the Midmar Mile over the coming weekend before leaving for their home base in Manchester, Britain.