Disappointment ends brother & sister Dream Team

The Dream Team partnership of brother and sister, Peter & Beth Ross, was shattered at K2 Crawley in February as I missed qualifying for the Olympic Trials by a heartbreaking 0.8 secs. This was something Beth & I had been working on together for eighteen months and was devastating to lose out by such a slender margin.

I remember discussing with Beth in 2006, who was still in Queensland, about where I was going to swim after leaving university in Birmingham. The idea seemed perfect – Beth would come home and coach me. There was no one I would trust more than her and it seemed like fate when a job coaching for Haywards Heath opened up that very summer. So in July 2006 Beth started coaching me towards my dream goal of maybe qualifying for the Olympics in 2008. It was always ambitious, given my turbulent swimming history (severe glandular fever & a fractured spine hit me while at uni), but, as they say, if you don’t try you’ll never know.

During my first year with Beth I was also teaching maths at Oxted School, Surrey, which was a huge demand on my body. I haven’t always enjoyed the 6am swims five days a week, and while I was working I’ve never known stress and tiredness like it, but it was worth it just to even have a shot at making it. The school staff and pupils were immensely supportive of my swimming and I really wish I could have done them proud but I'm sorry guys, I gave it my best. I'd like to personally thank the staff who helped me out and to many of the pupils, especially Ros & Becca whose 'good luck' poster kept me motivated even at the worst of times.

I've also had the pleasure of swimming with Haywards Heath swimming club, and now with Olympos Marlins, both of whom have been a joy to train and compete with. It's a wonderful club and getting better all the time.

There has also been huge support from friends and family. It seems cliched but i couldn't have done it without you. So much support has come from my friends and family and I'm proud you all believed in me. Team Ross does not just have two members anymore!

My heart was broken at K2 when I missed out by such a slender margin. I’ve not known disappointment like it and Beth was equally heart broken. I will, however, remember that weekend with great fondness thanks to all the supporters who turned up to cheer me on. You were spectacular. The other competitors didn’t know what was going on! You treated me like an Olympian and I cannot thank you all enough. You all touched my heart and I will remember that weekend with great affection, due to the amazing and loving support, rather than bitter disappointment. Thank you all.

The Final Race

And now for the bad news: I will most likely be retiring from competitive swimming in March 2008 and will swim my final race at the Sussex County Championships. It seems fitting that my final race will be the 100m Breast. I have been racing for 18 years and swimming has been many of my proudest memories. If someone has half the fun I’ve had then they are a very lucky person indeed, I know I am.

Thank you

Feb 2008

pete@team-ross.co.uk


Pete Ross & Beth Ross