FINA WORLD MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Hi:

This may be a repeat of a message that I tried to do on Friday, but being a true nerd and novice at the idea of a blog, I am not sure if the first one got published? Greg Mescall of USA Water Polo asked me if I would be willing to do a blog from Perth, and after he explained to me what a blog was, I agreed. I will be reporting on the results for the various USA teams participating in Perth. Among them are The Olympic Club, Tri-Valley Water Polo and Kaos Water Polo.



It is Sunday, and I am winding up my time trying to clear all things before I get to packing for my trip to Perth, Australia, and the 2008 FINA World Masters Championships. I am making this trip as the Team Leader for The Olympic Club's teams entered in the Championships. This makes the seventh World Masters in which the Club's teams have competed, starting with their first World Championships as 30+ Champions in Sheffield, England. They repeated in 1998 in Casablanca, but failed in their quest for a threepeat in 2000 in Munich where they finished second. In Munich, the initial team divided into 30+ and 35+ teams. In 2002 in Christchurch, they aged up to 35+ and 40+.



In 2006, the group had aged up to 40+ and 45+, and were joined by a new group in the 30+ age Group. The 40+ were Champions, the 45+ fifth and the 30+ finished second. These three age groups will be competing again in Perth. It is really a family traveling and competing together as many of the players bring wives and families with them. Having competed these many years there are many friends from around the World competing with other teams, so it is not only the competition, but the opportunity to renew friendships whit other players from around the World that make these trips such an enjoyable experience.



Perth is a long trip, begining with a 14 1/2 hour flight from San Francsico to Sydney, followed by a 5 hour flight to Perth. We arrive on Tuesday, after crossing the International Dateline, and will settle in to our accomodations. We will attend the Technical meeting on Wednesday to find out the teams and schedule for our varioous age groups; followed by practice on Wednesday and Thursday, and begin seven dayhs of competition on Friday. We are all looking forward to it, and I hope that you enjoy reading about these outstanding Masters athletes?



All the best,



Andy Burke