Day three of the British Gas Swimming Championships 2010 saw some surprise results as the swimmers took to the blocks in Sheffield to fight for British honours.
The final that everyone’s eyes were on was the women’s 100m Backstroke and with Elizabeth Simmonds taking on World Champion Gemma Spofforth it was predicted to be a fast final.
The British Gas ITC Loughborough swimmer had the best start and touched at 50m first to put pressure on the world record holder.
The final 50m saw the Spofforth show her strength as she pulled the race back and for the final 10m the two athletes were swimming stroke for stroke.
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It was down to the touch and Simmonds got the victory just ahead of Spofforth in a new personal best time of 59.43.
“It was a great race today and it’s always pleasing to get a personal best,” said Simmonds. “Gemma and I are obviously rivals but outside, we are great friends.
“To have someone like Gemma in the lane next to you is probably the best you can have. Everyone knows how much hard work we both put in so it is great to be pushing up there with the best in the world.”
Spofforth won silver in a time of 59.46 and Stephanie Proud won the bronze in 1:01.30.
One of the closest finals of the evening was the women’s 100m Freestyle as World Championship silver medallist Fran Halsall was pushed all the way by Loughborough University’s Amy Smith.
Halsall (British Gas ITC Loughborough) reached the 50m point first after a strong length but Smith performed excellently to hang onto Halsall’s shoulder.
The race came down to the final 50m and Smith began to really push Halsall but the British record holder took it on the touch in a time of 54.71.
Smith won the silver medal in a time of 54.86 with bronze going to Lucy Ellis (British Gas ITC Stirling) in 55.76.
University of Bath swimmer Stacey Tadd stormed to victory in the women’s 200m Breaststroke final with a swim that saw her battling with Garioch’s Hannah Miley for the victory.
Miley held the lead at the halfway point but Tadd overtook the Olympian with 10m left to go and she touched in 2:29.66 to take the gold medal.
Miley finished in 2:30.27 to win the silver and Kate Hutchinson (Loughborough Uni) won bronze in 2:31.09.
Beckenham’s Ellen Gandy achieved the fastest qualifying time for the women’s 100m Butterfly final.
Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
Image credit: (c)iStockphoto.com
