Gallantree secures spot in first 3m final

Having won Mixed Team gold with Tom Daley two days ago, the 30-year old made smooth progress through both the prelims and semi-final, scoring 305.10 to finish eighth in the latter and reach her first individual 3m final at her fourth World Championships.

Gallantree’s result also guarantees Great Britain an individual quota place in the women’s 3m Springboard at next year’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

While the Brit finished ninth in the individual 3m at the 2012 World Cup in London, she’s never been higher than 15th at a World Championships, failing to progress past the prelim stage at her last attempt in Shanghai four years ago.

But having become the first British female diver to win a World Championship medal with her result earlier in the week, Gallantree admitted she had felt more relaxed for her individual event.

“To be honest, I wasn’t thinking about qualifying for the final,” said Gallantree, who becomes the second Brit to reach a 3m Springboard final in Kazan with Jack Laugher competing in tonight’s men’s event.

“I was just trying to enjoy it and not put too much pressure on myself and I think that really works for me.

“It feels pretty amazing but I’m also pretty tired because it’s been a very hard morning but I’m really chuffed.

“I was up at 5 this morning for the prelim and basically haven’t stopped since. My body is hurting right now but I’ll go back to the hotel, have an ice bath and chill out and watch Jack in the men’s final tonight.”

Gallantree was never out of the top 10 in the semi-final, starting with her most profitable dive as she scored 67.50 for her forward 2 ½ somersaults, 1 twist piked.

Further scores in the 60s arrived for her forward 3 ½ somersaults piked (60.45) and her back 2 ½ somersaults piked (66.00) in the third and fourth rounds respectively.

China’s Shi Tingmao (381.90) and He Zi (371.40) led the way in the semis with Canada’s Jennifer Abel (353.90) third through.