Local resident, Claire Blencowe, has just returned from her successful debut at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia. Claire achieved personal bests in the 3-metre synchronised diving and the 1-metre springboard.
At sixteen, Claire was one of the youngest members of the England Team and came an outstanding fifth in the synchronised event with her partner Katherine Hamilton. Her England team-mates went on to win bronze medals in the same competition.
Since the Games, Claire has gone on to compete in 3-metre synchronised diving at the Arena Cup in Stockholm, coming sixth and the Grand Prix in China. Her next destination is America for another leg of the Grand Prix where she will be competing in the 10-metre synchronised diving.
With this first major Games experience under her belt, Claire is now hoping to dive at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.