A group of Bermuda?s best young swimmers are currently in Edmonton, Canada competing in the Alberta Provincial Championships, involving over 800 top competitors from across North America.

Yesterday saw all 17 Island swimmers compete in the preliminary qualifying heats at the Edmonton Aquatic Centre?s 50 metre pool, with an impressive 12 of those making it through to the finals which took place after press time last night.

?Bermuda have a very talented group of young swimmers and this level of international competition is exactly what is needed to help them improve,? said team head coach Ben Smith.

?This is especially true when you consider that we do not have a 50 metre pool in Bermuda to train in. But we?ve trained hard for this competition and I believe we?re ready. We?ll have some great results in the coming days.?

The meet runs until Sunday.

The annual Trunk Island swim, normally held later in the year, has been switched to this month with the event in Harrington Sound taking place on Sunday, July 23.

A field of around 100 swimmers are expected for the race, which starts at 10 a.m. off Trunk Island and finishes at the Palmetto Bay dock.

Now in its 25th year, the race was won last October by Jason Mastalir, who will be off the Island this time around, competing at the Canadian National Championships.

However, Eleanor Gardner of the Harbour Amateur Swimming Club, is expected to defend the female title. She placed fourth overall last year behind Mastalir, Michael Cash and Kevin Insley.