Scottish Nationals: Gemma Spofforth Sets British Record

By Todd Cooper, Swimming World Scottish correspondent

GLASGOW, Scotland, June 25. THE Scottish National Championships got underway today with several fast times including a British record for Gemma Spofforth.

The competition, which runs through Sunday, is doubling up as the second leg of World Championship qualification for British athletes. With 17 men and women already selected to represent Great Britain, the meet provides another opportunity for those swimmers who missed out at March's Trials to book their place on the team bound for Rome next month.

After recording a British record (27.99) in the prelims this morning, Spofforth emerged victorious in the women's 50 stroke. Spofforth's time of 28.03 was good enough to hold off Elizabeth Simmonds and Georgia Davies, who tied for second on 28.82. Spofforth's preliminary time eclipsed her national record of 28.67 set in 2008.

In the women's 100 fly, Jemma Lowe, who skipped the March Trials in order to compete at the NCAA Championships, produced a dominant performance of 58.41, but fell just short of the 58.11 she needed to qualify for Rome. Jess Sylvester (1:00.37) and Louise Pate (1:00.50) rounded out the top three.

National record holder Simon Burnett earned the men's 100 free crown in 49.19. Grant Turner grabbed second in 49.51, while Ben Hockin took third in 49.71.

Double Olympic gold medalist Rebecca Adlington emerged victorious, and claimed the second spot for World Championships in the women's 200 free with a time of 1:57.15. The swim came up just short of Joanne Jackson's British record of 1:56.47 set at the Trials in March. Jazmin Carlin (1:58.34) and Caitlin McClatchey (1:58.49), who finished second and third, put themselves in contention for a relay berth in Rome.

"That was hard, very hard," Adlington said. "I've not rested for this meet, so I knew it would be a challenge. I put the suit on for extra help, it's the only one that I'm going to fully suit up for, and I wanted to secure my relay place. I probably won't do the 200 at Worlds, but I'll sit down and think about it; it's always an option."

Michael Jamieson topped the men's 200 breast with a time of 2:11.17, while Kristopher Gilchrist took second in 2:12.14. Richard Webb finished third in 2:12.61.

"I'm not rested," Gilchrist said. "It felt like I was lacking a bit of speed, but that's the fastest last 50 I've ever done, so it bodes well for Rome.

"I can understand the predicament both sides [of the argument] are in, but I think the ones suffering are the swimmers, unfortunately," Gilchrist said regarding the recent swimsuit controversy.

In a tight finish, Ian Hulme captured the men's 50 fly crown in a time of 24.17. James Doolan (24.36) and Daniel Scott (24.68) finished second and third.

European record holder Hannah Miley cruised to victory in the women's 400 IM with a time of 4:39.55. Stephanie Proud (4:44.16) and Emma Smithhurst (4:45.94) rounded out the top three.

"The 200 and 400 IM are my main focus, but it's nice to have a fun event, to go in and not have the same amount of pressure," Miley, who is scheduled to swim 10 events this week, said. "Whatever suit you are wearing I know that as soon as I stand up on the block that I've done everything I can, and I couldn't have done anything more, and that's all you can do."

Daniel Fogg topped the men's 1500 free in 15:08.53, while Gareth Keating (15:39.98) and Craig Hamilton (15:40.73) completed the podium.

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