SHAYNE FAIRMAN, STAR Writer

After the recent success of local synchronised swimming teams at international and regional competitions, Christine Gabbidon, Amateur Swimming Association of Jamaica (ASAJ) technical committee chairperson, noted that intense preparations at local meets and competitions will give talent a better chance of earning more medals next season.

Felice Coombs and Nyouka Baugh placed fourth at the UANA Pan American Synchronised Swimming Championships in Calgary, Canada, recently.

Team Jamaica, though missing out on a podium finish, achieved its best ever result at a Pan American Champs, according to Gabbidon.

"With harder work, we can be on the podium next time, that's where our development meets, and training camps come in now. we will be working hard to medal, internationally, next year," Gabbidon said.

"We are very encouraged by the results, as this is a higher level than the regional competition we are used to," she continued.

Next on the regional calendar is the Caribbean Island Swimming Championships (CISC), in January, in Martinique. The CARIFTA Championships follow in March.

Jamaica also have high hopes of improving on their four-medal haul of one gold and three silver, won at the CCCAN Age Group Championships, in Barbados, in July.

"We could only send two members to Calgary. We wanted to send a team but, because of a lack of funding, we had to do crowd- funding.

Developmental competitions among 12 and under, 13-15 and 16-18 will now take centre stage," Gabbidon told STAR Sports.