Nationals 2023 - Cape Town
SA Nationals took place at Reddam School, Constantia in Cape Town from 3 to 6 April.
Team Phoenix had a total of 6 athletes competing for CGA in 12&U, Youth and Senior age Group events.
Out of the 8 events entered our athletes won 6 Gold, 1 Sliver and 1 Bronze. A remarkable set of results.
Additionally our athletes won Top Level 3, Top Solo, Top Duet and Top routine score trophies.
Below is a short description of all our routines.
We were very fortunate to have a number of international judges present at the competition who had lots of praise for our routines and athletes.
This was the first National competition under the new FINA Rules and our early adoption certainly paid dividends.
The CGA "Dream Team"
Kenzie Malan - CGA - 12U Free Solo
Having comfortably won the figure competition, Kenzie performed her "Insane" routine for the final time. A sassy and quirky rotuine, Kenzie impressed the judges to swim away with the Gold to remain unbeaten in this age group. Kenzie was further honoured to be presented at the end of the competition with a gift from visiting Russian judge, Elena Tsarkova, for her outstanding routine swim which Elena described as the most enjoyable she watched - high praise indeed!
Kenzie Malan 12&U Free Solo
Nationals 23 Kenzie 12U Solo
Jadi Malan - CGA - Youth Solo
Jadi swam "Le Vie en Rose" to a very creditable 3rd position. Lying 5th after figures, Jadi show poise and grace with a solid performance and pulled out all the stops to finish with the top Artistic Impression score, finishing with Bronze in a very competitive section.
Jadi Malan Youth Free Solo
Nationals 23 Jadi Youth Solo
Skye Macdonald - CGA - Senior Technical Solo
Team Phoenix was delighted to welcome Skye Macdonald, formerly from WCA, to the CGA team this year. After only a month working with Skye we were looking to improve on her results from NAG 22. Skye swam her dramatic Romeo and Juliet Tech Solo with the goal of qualifying for World Championships. Still a junior, Skye swam to Gold with a narrow win over team mate Kaitlyn.
Skye Macdonald Senior Technical Solo
Nationals 23 Skye Senior Tech Solo
Kaitlyn Doms - Senior Technical Solo
Kaitlyn managed to fit in her solo swim in-between university lectures and excelled in her Technical Solo achieving Silver, just 2 points behind Skye. Kaitlyn is the epitome of a professional athlete and we were delighted that her hard work, while completing a tough University schedule, paid off.
Kaitlyn Doms Senior Tech Solo
Nationals 2023 Kaitlyn Senior Tech Solo
Skye Macdonald - Senior Free Solo
Skye completed the Senior solo double with Gold in the Free Solo and in the process achieving the Highest Routine score for the competition. An excellent achievement and Skye's best results ever at a national competition. The result of hard work in her short time training with Team Phoenix.
Skye Macdonald Senior Free Solo
Nationals 23 Skye Free Solo
Laura Strugnell and Jessica Hayes-Hill - Senior Free Duet
Laura and Jess brought their brand new Robot routine to Nationals looking to win and qualify for Fukuoka World Championships. This only being Jess's second competition after 6 years retirement, the pressure was definitely on. A solid swim saw Laura and Jess win Gold and secure qualification.
Laura Strugnell and Jessica Hayes-Hill Senior Free Duet
Nationals 23 Laura and Jess Senior Free Duet
Laura Strugnell and Jessica Hayes-Hill - Senior Tech Duet
Laura and Jess brought a reworked routine from NAG to Nationals to comply with the new rules with qualification for Fukuoka World Championships on the line. Another solid swim saw Laura and Jess win Gold and secure qualification.
Laura Strugnell and Jessica Hayes-Hill Senior Tech Duet
Nationals 23 Laura and Jess Senior Tech Duet
