On the fourth day at the London Aquatics Centre the action certainly isn’t slowing down as sprint specialists Adam Peaty, Francesca Halsall and Ben Proud sped their way to pole position at the British Swimming Championships 2015.
There was no messing about this morning from City of Derby’s Peaty. The British breaststroke heavyweight sent a clear message in the Men’s Open 100m Breaststroke heats as he sailed beneath the World Championships consideration time for 59.29.
Looking to spoil the party tonight will be University of Stirling’s Ross Murdoch and 200m silver medallist Andrew Willis (National Centre, Bath) who swam just shy of the sub-minute mark.
Halsall, bronze medallist from the 100m Backstroke last night, took to her trademark event in the Women’s Open 50m Freestyle, showing why she’s Britain’s number one in a comfortable 24.96.
Stockport Metro swimmer Lauren Quigley leads the chasing pack into the final from Isabella Hindley (Chelsea and Westminster), Harriet Cooper (Co Derby) and Rebecca Guy (Co Manchester Aquatics).
Plymouth Leander’s Proud conquered the field in the Men’s sprint event clocking 22.16 to spearhead tonight’s contest. HIs closest challengers are team-mate Thomas Fannon and Loughborough University’s Andrew Weatheritt.
The pace continued in the Women’s Open 100m Butterfly as Rachael Kelly (National Centre, Loughborough) stopped the clock in 57.71 – half a second inside her lifetime best. Double British champion already Siobhan Marie O’Connor (National Centre, Bath) looks set to collect the silverware with team-mate Jemma Lowe completing the top three.
Ruta Meilutyte (1:06.87) returned to the London Aquatics Centre for the first time since the London 2012 Olympic Games in a showpiece heat swim for the Women’s 100m Breaststroke.
The Lithuanian swimmer cannot progress through to tonight’s British final but London Aquatics Centre Performance’s Sophie Taylor looked determined after her disqualification in the 200m, posting the second fastest time behind Kathryn Johnstone (1:07.79) for the final.
Medley duo of Daniel Wallace (Warrender Baths) and Roberto Pavoni (National Centre, Loughborough) were also back in action in the Men’s 400m Individual Medley. Wallace hit 4:19.84 for lane 4 tonight.
On great form as well this week is Bath University’s Jay Lelliott (7:58.43). He took the win in the Men’s 800m Freestyle time trial from Swansea’s Daniel Jervis (8:02.31) and City of Manchester Aquatics swimmer Thomas Sunter (8:10.12).
Georgia Davies showed her fighting spirit following 100m backstroke disappointment yesterday as she powered home to win the Women’s 50m Backstroke time trial in 28.00. Stockport’s Lauren Quigley posted 28.28 for second ahead of Warrington’s Kathleen Dawson (28.65).