April 24 - Russia claimed the first gold medal of the LEN European Junior Synchronised Swimming Championships in Gloucester tonight.

 

The combination free final was performed in front of a full arena as the 11 nations wowed the crowds with their acrobatic stunts, lifts and jumps.

 

Russia were again the stand out performers as the 10-girl team took to the water with a fast-paced routine.

 

The judges’ score of 92.833 was enough to win them the gold medal and retain the title that they took last year.

 

This puts them in a good position to once again complete the clean sweep of titles they managed last year; they currently lead going into the tomorrow’s figures leading in the solo, duet and team events.

 

Ukraine’s balletic performance earned them high marks to take the silver medal, bettering last year’s fifth position.

 

The score of 91.000 came as a surprise to the team who have been training together for one year.

 

The bronze medal went to Spain whose colourful routine excited the audience early on.

 

But, their score of 89.167 was not enough for them to retain the silver won at last year’s event.

 

The British team’s combination routine earned them 76.666 points as they were cheered on by their home crowd.

 

Anya Tarasiuk, whose injury had prevented her from competing in yesterday’s free team preliminary, was able to perform with the rest of her squad members to earn eighth place for the Britons.