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Allan-Burch flies back for fund-raiser

Roy Allan-Burch will take part in this Sunday’s inaugural Bermuda Masters National Age Group Swimming Championships at the BASA pool in order to help raise funds for his qualification attempt to compete at next year’s London Olympics.But another Olympic hopeful Lisa Blackburn, won’t be there.Blackburn, who set a world record in her age group at that US Nationals last week, has told organisers she had to turn down their invitation.“I love what the BMSA (Bermuda Masters Swimming Association) are doing by creating this swim meet, but unfortunately my flight back to Bermuda doesn’t arrive until after Christmas so I have to miss it,” she said.Allan-Burch, however, will be in the spotlight as he takes part in the featured relay race.He’s also confirmed he will compete in the individual races.“Are you kidding? I would not miss this for the world. I love the concept,” he said.“I fully support what the BMSA is doing in Bermuda and for Bermuda swimming and naturally for me, so I want to compete at this historic meet too.“I feel I’m in good shape and it gives me the chance to have a crack at some national records during the meet.”A record holder in a slew of Bermuda events, he’ll be looking to add more on Sunday although it hasn’t been announced which individual races he will enter.Others confirmed for the meet are Julian Fletcher and Nick Thompson, both of whom have achieved success overseas.Fletcher, who came within a second of qualifying for the London Olympics when he smashed the Bermuda national 100 metres breaststroke record while competing as a guest at the US Nationals last week, will also take part in some individual races.Fletcher will be in the relay team that takes on Allan-Burch’s team but the two swimmers aren’t expected to clash in the individual races.Thompson, who trains in the US at university on a swimming scholarship, will compete in an individual event, as will recently crowned Bermuda National Triathlon champions, Jonathan Herring and Cora StarzomskiStarzomski, a former Canadian college star, took part in a gruelling Florida Ironman race last month as she attempts to qualify for the prestigious Hawaii Ironman.The meet is open to swimmers over the age of 20 irrespective of talent.All events are age group and several over-60 competitors will be in the pool, including Colleen Nelson, who has tasted success overseas.Karen Smith, a top triathlon who won the recent She Rox Duathlon in Bermuda, is also among those competing.The meet is scheduled to start at 5pm.