Williamson & Dunkerley shine as BASA Winter Series Returns
IslandStats.com
The Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association ignited its short-course calendar with the first Winter SC Meet of 2026 at the BASA Pool. In a high-caliber morning of racing, elite senior talent and rising age-group stars combined to deliver a series of dominant performances that have set a high benchmark for the remainder of the season.
The headline act of the day came in the Men 15 and Over 100m Freestyle, where Sam Williamson demonstrated his class with a clinical 52.96-second victory. Williamson held off a spirited challenge from Logan Jones, who touched the wall in 54.95, while Jamie MacFarlane rounded out the podium with a time of 58.57.
In the senior women’s ranks, Emilia Dunkerley continued her impressive form to claim the 100m Freestyle title. Dunkerley stopped the clock at 1:06.84, narrowly edging out Lila Connolly who finished in 1:07.63. Freya Lau secured the third spot with a resilient 1:11.80.
The age-group divisions featured equally compelling battles, none more so than the Girls 13-14 100m Freestyle. Elena Bortoli emerged victorious in 1:11.32, holding a steady lead over Lilian Collette and Evelyn Brogden, who recorded times of 1:13.08 and 1:15.37 respectively.
Distance specialist Noah Fulton took control of the longest event of the morning, winning the Men 15 and Over 400m Freestyle in 4:40.32. Fulton maintained a consistent tempo to finish well clear of Gianluca Bortoli, who claimed second place with a time of 4:56.54.
The backstroke events saw Axel Wernbo double up on success in the 15 and Over 100m discipline. Wernbo first clocked a rapid 1:05.02 and later returned to record a 1:08.40 in a subsequent heat, consistently keeping Joseph Lau at bay across both sessions. Lau proved to be Wernbo's most persistent rival of the day, finishing with a solid 1:09.12.
Daley’s a Standout Performance as Toronto Dominate Challenge
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Bermudian freshman Elijah Daley produced a sequence of impressive displays to help the University of Toronto Varsity Blues secure a commanding victory at the Quad Challenge Meet.
Competing at the Varsity Pool, the nationally-ranked Blues faced off against the Calgary Dinos, Western Mustangs, and the Quebec All-Stars in a high-caliber short-course showdown.
The Varsity Blues dominated the team standings throughout the afternoon, finishing with a massive total of 830 points. The Calgary Dinos claimed the runner-up spot with 631 points, followed by the Quebec All-Stars with 335 and the Western Mustangs with 272.
Daley’s individual versatility was a central theme of the meet, headlined by a pair of clinical second-place finishes in the medley events. In the 100m Individual Medley, the Bermudian standout touched the wall in 55.50 seconds to secure Silver, a feat he repeated in the 200m Individual Medley with a rapid time of 2:01.56. These performances follow a record-breaking streak for Daley, who recently dismantled his own Personal Bests in both the Butterfly and Medley disciplines since joining the Toronto program.
In the high-stakes "Skins" Time Trials—a format designed to test recovery and explosive speed—Daley proved his worth among the region's elite sprinters. He secured a fourth-place finish in the 50m Backstroke Skins with a time of 26.05 seconds and claimed sixth in the 50m Freestyle Skins after clocking 24.17 seconds.
Daley’s contributions extended to the relay events, where he played a pivotal role for the Toronto B squad. Swimming the second leg of the 3x50m Super Skins Relay, he helped propel his team to a second-place finish in 1:19.15. He later anchored the 2x50m Super Skins Relay, touching the wall in 54.75 seconds to secure third overall.
With the OUA Championships looming in February, Daley’s consistent form suggests he will be a primary medal contender as the Varsity Blues look to sweep the provincial titles. The freshman will now return to full training as the team enters its final preparations for the championship season.
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Harvey in Record-Breaking form Continues in Texas
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Bermudian Olympian swimming sensation Emma Harvey delivered a masterclass in endurance and speed at the 2026 USA Pro Swim Series in Austin, Texas, shattering National Records and moving closer to multi-event qualification for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
Competing in a grueling schedule of 15 races over four days, Harvey demonstrated remarkable consistency by reaching the A finals in five of her six contested events.
The highlight of the meet came on the final day of competition at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center.
In the Women’s 50m butterfly, Harvey clocked a blistering 26.59 seconds to finish fourth overall. The performance significantly lowered her own Bermudian national record of 26.70 seconds, which she had established just months prior at the 2025 Ascot Bermuda National Championships.
Beyond the record books, Harvey’s weekend was defined by strategic successes on the road to the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
By finishing as one of the top eight qualifiers in the 100m Backstroke, she successfully hit her sixth qualifying standard for the Games.
Harvey’s versatility was on full display throughout the series, as she also secured top-tier finishes in the 50m Backstroke (28.70), 50m Freestyle (26.85), and 100m Butterfly (1:01.23).
Having already secured Olympic consideration times earlier in her career, the 24-year-old’s current form suggests she will be a primary medal contender for Bermuda on the international stage this summer.
Harvey will now return to her training base to prepare for the final qualifying window, with her sights set on expanding her already impressive program for the 2026 Games.
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
White Stars but Bentley Fall to Pace in Regular-Season Finale
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Standout Taylor White produced another commanding individual display in the pool, though her efforts were not quite enough to prevent the Bentley University women’s swimming and diving team from falling to a narrow 147-139 defeat against Pace University. In a tightly contested dual meet at the Goldstein Fitness Center in Pleasantville, New York, the Falcons saw their final regular-season contest decided by a mere eight points.
White, a senior from Warwick, showcased her versatility and speed by playing a pivotal role across both individual and relay events. Her afternoon was highlighted by a superb victory in the Women’s 200 Yard Freestyle, where she controlled the race from the outset to touch the wall in a time of 2:00.32. The win provided a significant point boost for Bentley as they attempted to bridge the gap against a deep Pace roster.
Beyond her individual triumph, White was a key component of the Falcons’ relay strategy. She spearheaded the Bentley Women’s 200 Yard Medley Relay A team, delivering a sharp leadoff backstroke leg that helped her quartet secure second place with a time of 1:56.80. White later returned to the blocks to claim another runner-up finish, this time in the Women’s 200 Yard Backstroke, clocking 2:12.22 in a hard-fought battle for the wall.
The Bermudian capped her competitive day by leading off the Bentley Women’s 400 Yard Freestyle Relay A team. Her opening split set the foundation for a dominant performance as the quartet powered to victory in 3:44.71, ending the meet on a high note for the visitors. Despite the narrow overall team loss, White’s form remains a major positive for Bentley as they transition into post-season mode. The Falcons now have three weeks to prepare for the Northeast-10 Conference Championships, where White is expected to be a primary contender for individual medals.
Monday, January 26, 2026
Bermuda’s Harbour Coaches Sharpen Skills in Napa
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Four of Harbour Amateur Swimming Club’s leading coaches have returned from California after attending the prestigious 2026 ASCA Pacific Swim Coaches Clinic. Shona Palmer, Kris Cash, Belinda Morrison, and Caroline Black were among an elite group of international delegates in Napa Valley for the three-day intensive course, designed to bridge the gap between age-group foundations and world-class performance.
The clinic, held at the Napa Valley Marriott, featured a "who’s who" of the swimming world, providing the Bermudian contingent with direct access to modern training philosophies and technical innovations.
The headline sessions were delivered by the legendary Bob Bowman, the longtime mentor of Michael Phelps and the current Director of Swimming at the University of Texas. Bowman, who recently led Arizona State to a historic NCAA title, shared his specialized knowledge on IM training and the essentials of season planning.
His presentations focused on the "Event Families" theory and the delicate balance of volume and intensity required to transition a swimmer from club level to the collegiate and elite international stage. For the Harbour coaches, Bowman’s insights provided a blueprint for managing the development of Bermuda’s future medalists.
Technical precision was another cornerstone of the weekend, with sessions led by Russell Mark, the world’s foremost authority on technique analysis. Mark, who has spent two decades working with the US Olympic team and stars like Katie Ledecky, conducted deep-dive sessions into stroke mechanics.
His expertise in underwater video analysis and data-driven feedback was a major highlight. Mark’s passion for evolving the "language of coaching" gave the Harbour team fresh perspectives on how to communicate complex technical adjustments to younger swimmers.
The curriculum covered a vast range of developmental topics, including: 10 and Under Planning: Specialized training and management for the youngest competitive groups. Club to College Transitions: Strategic advice on preparing athletes for the rigors of US collegiate swimming. Staff and Athlete Retention: Building a sustainable and supportive club culture.
By investing in this high-level education, Harbour’s coaching staff continues to strengthen the island’s aquatic infrastructure. The invaluable content from Napa will be immediately implemented back at the pool deck in Bermuda, helping local swimmers reach their personal goals and represent the island on the global stage.
