From November 15 to 17, the Short Course Championships 2024 took place in Sursee. It turned out to be one of the most successful and memorable competitions of my career so far - an experience I’ll carry with me for a long time.
Day 1: A Strong Start
The first day featured the 50m freestyle and 100m butterfly events. From the morning races, it was clear I was in great shape: I set two new personal bests and headed into the break full of confidence.
The afternoon brought the finals. I earned spots in the A-final for the 50m freestyle and the B-final for the 100m butterfly. In both races, I improved on my personal bests from earlier in the day. In the 50m freestyle, I came heartbreakingly close to the podium, finishing fourth. While bittersweet, the moment only fueled my determination for what lay ahead.
Day 2: Strategy Over Results
Day two was less critical for me, with the 100m individual medley being a secondary event. Despite that, I managed another personal best and qualified for the B-final. However, I chose to skip the final to save my energy for the decisive third day. This turned out to be the right call.
Day 3: W
The final day became a landmark in my swimming journey. In the morning, I competed in my main event - the 50m butterfly - and achieved a new milestone: for the first time, I broke the 24-second barrier. This secured me the fastest qualification for the afternoon final.
When the moment arrived, I was ready. After a focused warm-up, I felt sharp and confident. The race itself was not flawless - there’s always room to grow - but I delivered another personal best and clinched the title. For the first time, I became Swiss Champion in the open category. It was a surreal and unforgettable moment. I know I benefited from the absence of Noé Ponti, who was unable to compete due to his military service, but this victory still holds immense value for me.
The day concluded with the 4x50m medley relay, where I swam the butterfly leg. I delivered a time even faster than in my individual final - a thrilling finish to an incredible competition.
A Weekend to Cherish
What truly made this weekend special wasn’t just my personal success - it was the extraordinary atmosphere. I’ve never competed in such an electrifying environment. My team, Swim Team Lucerne, celebrated one of its most successful weekends ever. Beyond the results, the overwhelming support and camaraderie of my teammates were unforgettable. I’ve never felt so passionately cheered on - it’s a feeling of unity I’ll always treasure.
A huge thank you to Swim Team Lucerne for making this an unforgettable experience. I can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together next!
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