British Masters Championships, Day Two: Wilson and Wilde Set World Records Set

MANCHESTER, England, April 26. THE second day of action at the British Masters Swimming Championships in Manchester proved to be the best yet as three world records, 10 European records and an amazing 33 British records all tumbled in the Manchester Pool.

It proved to be a memorable day for a strong field of swimmers who have again made the journey up to the North West to raise the benchmark for Masters swimming.

And it was Judy Wilson and Lesley Wilde who stole the show with three world records between them in the 2002 Commonwealth Pool.

Wilde, swimming for Hollywell SC, from Wales, was in top form in the 200m Backstroke final at 45-49 years as she set her second world record of the competition with a time of 2min 36.03secs. Her swim was also good enough for a new British and European record time.

Wilde won her first world record at 100m Backstroke with an inspired swim of 1min 12.64secs on Friday

"It's always lovely setting world records," said Wilde. "The first time you did it's such a special feeling, but every time you did after that it still feels really good.

"I haven't set a world record before at 100m Backstroke, so it did feel really good. I've been lucky because I've been able to train here in Manchester once a month with Hollywell. It's such a lovely pool and so I had a little advantage having swum here before."

Wilde, 45, who lives in Rhyl, is now hopeful of setting some more records on Sunday when she competes in the 200m Individual Medley and 50m Backstroke finals for her age group.

But it as Wilson who deservedly took the plaudits as she set two new world records within a few hours of each other.

Wilson first won the 100m Butterfly final at 60-64 years with a time of 1min 19.13secs, and then won the 50m Fly at the same age group in a time of 33.85secs.

The previous world mark was 35.62secs set in 2002 by American Joy Ward.

"I'm quite pleased with that," said Wilson. "I wanted to go under 34 secs, so I managed that. I'm aiming for as close to 33 seconds as I can at the World's. I'll be resting and concentrating on sprinting in the next few weeks of preparation."

Other success stories on a day of high emotions included new British record holders Jayne Ball, Carole Fellows, Margaret Smith, Judy Wilson (3), Leon Walkden, Paul Morris (2), Lara Clarke, John Harrison – still going strong at a sprightly 90 years of age – John Davis, Alan Jackson, Eddie Riach, Jayne Ball, Nuala Muir-Cochrane, Harold Dodd (2), John Tennant, Derek Parr, Katie Peachey, Derrick Davey, Neville Barton, Anthony O'Driscoll, Nick Gillingham, Christopher Jones, Colin Overington and Jamie Mackay.

Dodd (2), Wilson (2), Barton, Ball, Morris, Riach and Gillingham also set new European records after some inspired swims.

Dodd, who improved on his own previous best of 3min 49.49secs, said: "I never expected it as I was taking it steady and easy. But I felt good and picked it up towards the end. It was a nice surprise getting the record."

Heart of England and Marlborough both set new British records in the 200m Mixed Medley Relay at their respective 76 years and 280 years combined age groups.

(courtesy, British Swimming)

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