Hi Neil,

 In cricket we have the Duckworth Lewis Rule - to bring some fairness to the competition when it rains.

 Clearly getting wet in swimming is not an issue.

 That’s what we do – get wet.

 But having experienced an extremely difficult situation in the 50m Back last night I feel we need to introduce a Newlands Duck Obstruction Rule .

 This to likewise bring fairness to the competition.

 I made it known I was going for a sub-32 second 50m Back last night.

 I spent 10 minutes doing stretches on the lawn at the far end of the pool; spoke to no one; went through my normal rituals : wet my hair; checked my goggles; tied my costume a third time; and was totally psyched for this thing.

 Then as the starter’s whistle went . . . . . . it was just my luck to get a duck.

 Miems had the same problem in the 200 m Breast on Tuesday.

 Half way down the pool I got this quacking alarm from behind me and simultaneously felt a pair of yellow calloused feet as I extended my left arm and knew immediately this was game over.

 And had to back off completely to avoid an inevitable and catastrophic ‘duck strike.’

 Through all this I all but overtaken by a grinning Rainer Kloos.

 Was this a trained duck ?

 I will never know.

 Someone said they saw Mike Winfield with a duck wrapped in a towel at the start of the event.

 Was it the same duck ?

 Will we ever know?

 Just feel I need to evoke the Newlands Duck Obstruction Rule here.

 Marita got my time for the first 25 metres at 15 seconds.

 I think on that basis I was on course to do a 30 seconds straight last night !!!

 Please put this to the committee and I trust it will be considered in a fair light; with all the unbiased evidence; and we look forward to your ruling on this.

 Thanks and have a good (duck-free) day.

 Pete