Keri Anne Payne improves the British Record on day three of 2011 British Gas Swimming Championships
Day three of the 2011 British Gas Swimming Championships ended yesterday with a surprising performance from swimmers including Gemma Spofforth, Keri Anne Payne, Ross Davenport, Liam Tancock, Stacey Tadd and Kate Haywood at the Manchester Aquatics Centre.
Gemma Spofforth won the title for the 100 m backstroke by beating her friend, Lizzie Simmonds, in a time of 1:00.52 against her 1:01.16. Simmonds qualified for the final as the fastest swimmer but Spofforth proved to her and the rest of the world why she
is the World Champion in the last 25 m of the race. They were followed by Rachel Lefley of Loughborough University in a time of 1:02.02.
While, Keri-Anne Payne lowered the eight-year-old British Record for women’s 1500 m freestyle to 16:06.67. She was followed by Eleanor Faulkner and Cassie Patten, who touched the wall in 16:15.29 and 16:15.33 respectively. From the very start of the race,
Payne seemed to be gunning for the new record and she was very delighted with her performance.
“I was fine with lane one in the final. My coach said to go 17 minute for the final and I just did that. It was so nice that every single person on poolside was waving me on and supporting me. I’m now looking for a good 800 and hopefully a PB to get qualification
for the world qualifier," Payne said.
Rose Davenport took the gold medal for the men’s 200 m freestyle final with a timing of 1:48.34. He was followed by the championship winner of the 400m freestyle, Robbie Renwick and David Carry in the second and third places respectively.
On the mens side, Liam Tancock won the title for men’s 100 m backstroke final in a time of 53.44. He was followed by Chris Walker-Hebborn and Ryan Bennett in 55.41 and 55.92 respectively.
Tancock was very happy with his improved performance, saying that he likes competing with the best in Britain and the best of the world. He also stated that he is aiming for the gold medal at 2011 Shanghai World Championships in July.
Moreover, the last event of the night was one of the most surprising events of the championships. Stacey Tadd of Bath University defeated Kate Haywood in the 100 m breast-stroke final with a timing of 1:09.97 against Haywood’s 1:10. 36. Kerry Buchan was
only a touch away from the second finisher in a time of 1:10.53.
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