Abbie Wood is diving into new friendships in the pool this season

Abbie Wood has spent almost her entire swimming career as part of a terrific trio so this season has been all about making new friends. The 24-year-old Wood spent more than a decade training day in, day out with fellow Olympians Molly Renshaw and Sarah Vasey. Ad So when the duo both called times on their careers at the end of 2022, Wood suddenly found herself out of her comfort zone.

SwimmingEvan Jones is hoping to emulate his teammate's success40 MINUTES AGO A trip to Arizona for a training camp at altitude turned out to be just what the doctor ordered, with Wood having formed a bond with teammate Freya Colbert that has helped her find her feet once again. Buxton-born Wood, who trains in Loughborough at the British Swimming Performance Centre, explained: «I feel like Molly and Sarah retiring was hard on me. I've trained with them for the past 12 years.

It's very different without them, but at altitude, I really enjoyed it because I got closer with some of the other girls on the team. »Me and Freya Colbert have formed a really good bond here at Loughborough. One of my aims when I went away to altitude was just to make more friends! I wanted to be happier around the pool again.

That was my main focus, if you don't enjoy your job, what's the point? «As the season started and into Christmas, I felt quite lost. Loughborough in itself is quite a secluded town with just sportspeople and students. If you feel like all your friends are moving out of Loughborough, it's quite a lonely place.

»My main aim going away with the girls at altitude was to be as social as possible. That has made me really enjoy training again and makes the grindy sessions a lot easier when I've got close friends around. «Our team, with (coach David