The Scottish Gas Open Water Swimming Squad were in action over the weekend in Central France, where they competed in two rounds of the French Cup.
On Saturday, the competition in Le Lac de Vassivière staged events over 2km, 5km and 10km. The women's 5km race saw a close battle between Jennifer Davis (Warrender Baths Club) and Rachel Tedeschi (City of Glasgow) with Davis getting home in front to win the overall race. Tedeschi was the winner in the under-18 category.
The men's 5km event saw a good win for Fraser Smith (City of Glasgow), who broke free of the field at the half-way point to open up a lead which he would not lose.
The men's 10km race had five Scots in the field. Stephen Waterhouse (City of Leeds) was the highest places among them, coming home in 2nd place, losing out in a sprint finish by just 0.5seconds. Mark Deans (City of Glasgow) and Chris Ritchie (Dunoon) were 2nd and 3rd respectively in the under-18 category.
In the women's event Megan Donnelly (City of Glasgow) had an impressive first attempt at the 10km distance and kept pace in the leading pack for almost the entire race, to eventually finish fourth overall, but winner of the under-18 category.
Racing on Sunday took place at Lac Saint Pardoux, close to the city of Limoges. Scots were again in good form wining three out of the four events on offer. Fraser Smith won the men's 1.5km race ahead of Glenn McIntosh (City of Glasgow). McIntosh took the gold medal for the under-18 event with Mark Deans fourth overall and third in the under-18 class.
The women's 1.5km race produced a clean sweep of podium positions with Rachel Tadeschi touching out Megan Donnelly, who in turn came home just ahead of Ishbel Rodger. With all three girls being under 18, they remained on the podium to collect their second set of prizes.
