Sarah Barrow admits she is relishing the chance to compete against – as well as with – Tonia Couch at the British Gas Diving Championships in Plymouth.
Barrow enjoyed a fine year with Couch in the 10m synchro in 2012, achieving record-breaking results before even diving together at the London 2012 Olympics.
They won Britain’s first-ever female 10m synchro World Series medal with bronze in April and became the first pairing for 74 years to win European gold a month later.
Barrow and Couch won the British title in a new national record in June however neither topped the individual 10m platform podium as Stacie Powell took victory.
However Powell won’t be in Plymouth this year with Couch the 2011 British champion and Barrow the winner for two years running prior to that.
The 24-year-old has moved from the City of Leeds club to Plymouth since London 2012 and, after finishing fourth last year, Barrow is eager to show what she can do individually this time around.
“It’s been really good since moving back down to Plymouth,” said Barrow, who finished fifth with Couch in the 10m synchro at London 2012.
“We started back in September and have obviously collected a few more divers since then as well. It’s a bit more relaxing now because Tonia and I are always diving together rather than before when we would meet up for a few days to work on dives and it would be quite stressful.
“It’s been a while since I had a good hit out in the individual and I’ve got nothing to lose this year. I’ve been working on my back three and a half which I did between 2008 and 2010 but haven’t really done since.
“Obviously my main competitor will be Tonia but I’ll just give it a go and see how it goes.”
© Sportsbeat 2013