Two Bermudians have ranked in their age-group top ten in international swimming for 2004.

The sport's world-governing body, FINA recently disclosed their rankings for last year, with the Island's Colleen Nelson and Chris Smith featuring in their respective divisions.

Nelson, swimming in the 55-59 age group, made the top ten in the 800-metre freestyle in the 25-metre pool events and the 100-metre breaststroke in the 50-metre pool events. She is already having an even better year in 2005, swimming faster than she has before though the competition is getting tougher.

Smith, who competes in the 70-74 age group, made the world's top ten in only the 1,500-metre freestyle in the 25-metre pool events. This is significantly down from the ten top-ten places he achieved in 2002 and his seven in 2003. Smith also took bronze in the 3km ocean swim World Championship in Italy last year.

He took over the Canadian Masters President's job at the beginning of last year to carry out a major restructuring of the adult swim fitness programmes in Canada which has significantly reduced his competitive focus. He is also active in the Americas Masters organisations representing Bermuda, Canada and the English-speaking Caribbean.

He plans to refocus on competition when he reaches 75.