Scottish Nationals: Rebecca Adlington Beats Joanne Jackson in Barnburner; Gemma Spofforth Sets Another British Record

By Todd Cooper, Swimming World Scottish correspondent

GLASGOW, Scotland, June 26. WORLD record holders Rebecca Adlington and Joanne Jackson produced one of the fastest 800 free races in history tonight at the Scottish National Championships.

After going head-to-head for 700 meters, it was Olympic champion Adlington who eventually pulled away to win in 8:16.81. Jackson finished in 8:17.81 bettering her previous best by more than six seconds. Jazmin Carlin finished third in 8:27.88.

Adlington now has the fastest and third fastest performances in history, while Jackson moved up to fifth on the all-time list.

"I didn't expect to go that at all," said Adlington. "I knew that Jo really wanted to have a good crack at this one, so I just wanted to have a good race. I tried to stick with Jo as much as I could. Last week was a really tough week, I felt so bad, but I'm really pleased with that."

"I was pretty shocked with that time tonight," 400 free world record holder Jackson said. "It was a lot quicker than I expected, but Becky pulled me through that race so much; I was just trying to hold on to her for as long as possible. On the last 100 she just went, and I had nothing left, but to go 8:17 is really unexpected, I'm really happy with it."

Gemma Spofforth captured her second British-record of the meet in the women's 200 back winning in a time of 2:07.56. That effort improved the previous national standard of 2:08.51 set by Elizabeth Simmonds last year. Additionally, Spofforth's time narrowly missed Meagan Nay's Commonwealth record, which stands at 2:07.41. Stephanie Proud finished second in 2:09.79, while Rachel Lefley took third in 2:12.43.

"I wasn't expecting that at all," said a shocked Spofforth. "Before today, I didn't think that I knew how to swim a 200, but I feel like I know exactly how to swim it now, and I think that there is a lot more to come."

In the men's 400 free fast-finishing David Davies snared victory in a time of 3:48.69. Robbie Renwick booked his ticket for Rome after finishing second in 3:49.92. That effort bettered the 3:50.25 set by Lewis Smith at Trials in March. Christopher Alderton finished third in 3:51.50.

"My arms have never been this sore in my life" Renwick said after the race. "To swim that race there and get a place on the Worlds team, I'm just so happy. I put every last drop of effort in to it, it's great to secure my place on the team."

Marco Loughran produced a powerful second 50 to win the men's 100 back and ensure qualification for Rome with a time of 54.48. That effort was good enough to hold off Matthew Clay (54.58), and Matthew Bowe (54.87), who finished second and third respectively.

"It feels great to make the team, I'm chuffed" said Loughran. "This morning, I spun a bit too much. Tonight I went out a bit easier, and had something left coming home. It feels awesome."

Fran Halsall won the women's 50 free in a time of 24.59. That effort just missed her national record of 24.53 set in March this year. Emma Wilkins captured the second spot for Worlds by finishing second in 25.55. Amy Smith (25.72) completed the top three.

"To go out and swim that time, I was expecting it all, it's crazy," said an ecstatic Wilkins. "I can't wait for Rome."

Elsewhere, Hannah Miley put together a solid swim in the women's 200 IM emerging victorious in 2:12.52. Keri-Anne Payne confirmed her place on the plane to Rome after finishing second in 2:13.41. Emma Smithhurst (2:15.45) rounded out the top three.

Louise Henley finished first in the women's 100 breast with a time of 1:10.47, while Georgia Holderness took second in 1:10.48. Lowri Tynan, who finished third here (1:10.84), will be traveling to Rome by virtue of having the second-fastest time from the Trials in March.

Joseph Roebuck secured his place on the worlds team by taking the men's 200 fly crown in 1:58.25. Adam Mallett finished second in 1:59.38, while Iain Macmillan took third in 1:59.41.

Chris Jones topped the men's 50 breast in 28.53, while Daniel Sliwinski (28.54) snatched second and Craig Elliot (28.60) finished third.

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