It was a night to remember in Funchal, Madeira, as Nicole Turner claimed the first medal for Ireland at this week’s World Para Swimming European Open Championships.
Nicole won bronze in the SB6 200m Individual Medley, putting on a brilliant display as she battled for third place in a time of 3:09.57.
The Portarlington swimming sensation might have been feeling quietly confident of a podium finish going into tonight’s final, as she finished 20.98 seconds ahead of fourth place in this morning’s heat. Nicole managed to keep Norway’s, Sarah Louise Rung at a distance in fourth place to comfortably finish third in tonight’s final.
Nicole has history in this venue, in 2016 she brought home two silvers and a bronze, one of which was in the 200m Individual Medley from Madeira. Five years later, Nicole has added another bronze medal to her name.
Nicole will next compete on Day 5, 6, and 7, Nicole’s main event, the 50m Butterfly, will take place on Saturday.
Another young swimmer with a bright future is Róisín Ní Ríaín, who shaved 0.54 seconds off her morning heat with a time of 1:02.72. At just 15 years of age, Róisín showed great fight to finish in fourth place.
Róisín will be back in action tomorrow evening in the S13 100m Backstroke Final. Patrick Flanagan will return to the pool for his final event of the week, the S6 400m Freestyle, Patrick’s main event.
Nicole Turner Post-Race Interview
Róisín Ní Ríaín Post-Race Interview
Team Ireland Day 3 Results:
Morning Session:
Men’s S13 100m Freestyle Heat – Sean O’Riordan, 1:00.40
Women’s S13 100m Freestyle – Róisín Ní Ríaín, 1:03.25
Women’s SM6 200m Individual Medley Heat– Nicole Turner, 3:11.78
Evening Session:
Women’s SM6 200m Individual Medley Heat– Nicole Turner, 3:09.57 (3rd)
Women’s S13 100m Freestyle – Róisín Ní Ríaín, 1:02.72 (4th)
Team Ireland Day 4 Schedule:
Morning Session:
09: 35 – Men’s S6 400m Freestyle – Patrick Flanagan
Evening Session:
18:51 – Women’s S13 100m Backstroke – Róisín Ní Ríaín
