PASSED WITH FLYING COLOURS

Trackspeed1 UK's training programme went full steam ahead on Saturday into their first test competition of 2015, and the 6 participating sprinters passed with flying colours.

Leading the charge was a superb performance in the 100 metres by Emmanuel Stephens, who was making a track comeback after an absence of 2 long years due to injury.  His 10.42s sprint, aided by a slightly illegal wind of +2.9, was marred only by his subsequent false start in the final.

As the gun went, Stephens flew out of the blocks in the first round and, by 50 metres, had gapped the rest by a clear three metres, but was caught on the line to eventually secure second in the race just one hundredth of a second behind the winner.

In the Women's 100m, Tope Nuga ran the fastest time of her life, albeit again wind-aided (+3.8), timing 11.67s in the final, having qualified with a 11.85s run, aided by a slight +2.3m/s breeze.

It was overall a really encouraging opener for the Crystal Palace-based squad, who have not been without their injury issues through the winter.

Jason Hussain, celebrating his tenth year in the group, opened with one of his fastest April efforts with a 21.66s run in the 200m, after a fine 10.77 in the 100m.  As the sun beat down, the wait for his 200m amid significant heat made his 200m performance all the more impressive.

"I simply had nothing left in the last 50 metres," he said, "I was worn out waiting over 40 minutes for my race to go off.  I'm in pretty good shape at the moment and I know I'll go a lot faster this year."

Coach John Powell was full of praise for the two therapists who have been working tirelessly with his athletes since arriving in Florida:

"John Allen is known as one of the best physio's in the business," he said, "he's been to Olympic Games and World class meetings all over the world, working with British teams, over several decades.  It's a massive compliment to have him with our group out here.

"Amara Tapson is our masseuse and she has really impressed both the athletes and myself with her work ethic and effect.  Together these two have bolted together a group who came out with some significant issues.  Now we have all but two athletes ready to roll in the next week or so."

The squad next compete this Friday at the Tom Jone Memorial Meeting, in Gainesville.