Stephen Clegg was the first Brit to take to the pool on the third morning of heats at the World Para Swimming European Champs and broke a British record.
It was a new personal best time of 24.82 in the Men’s S12 50m Freestyle that saw Clegg lower the British benchmark time and ensured he progressed into tonight’s final as the third fastest man in the continental line-up.
Speaking in the mixed zone after securing his finals berth, Clegg said, “The start wasn’t as quite as good as I’d hoped for but I’m happy with the overall time, a personal best.
“I was concentrating on getting good had entry into the water to maximise my stroke
“I don’t think there’s much I need to change going into the final, just sharpen up the start in the warm-up and make sure I get off the blocks fast.”
Maisie Summers-Newton demonstrated her world-class ability as she took to the pool in the Women’s SB6 100m Breaststroke heats and qualified top of the pile, her time of 1:34.67 is just off her personal best with more to come in the final.
After her heats swim Summers-Newton said, “That swim was the second fastest time I’ve ever done over 100m breast, so yeah I’m very happy with it. I didn’t want to go too fast this morning, I had a good swim yesterday and I want to do well tonight so yeah.
“I felt a little tired on the last 25m so that something I’m going to go and look at for later but overall a good swim.
“I just like to focus on myself and my own race, not pay too much attention to what’s going on around me and just think about all the skills I’ve learnt.
“Last night has given my lots of confidence, when I first arrived in here I was a little nervous but once we started training they settled.
“I received lots of text messages last night, everyone was being really supportive and I can’t wait to get back in and race again tonight.”
Teammate Ellie Simmonds also went in the SB6 100m Breaststroke and booked herself into the medal race, she will line up behind lane six after she stopped the clock in the third fastest time of the morning, 1:43.40
Megan Richter returned to action after she picked up silver in the SM8 200m IM on day one, she went in the heats of the Women’s S8 50m Freestyle and a season's best swim of 33.51 mean’s she will race again and contest for the European title. In form Jordan Catchpole, fresh from his silver medal last night went in search of another European Championship finals berth and did just that, this time in the Men’s S14 100m Backstroke.
Catchpole said, “I took the first 50m out hard, I wanted to work on my arm rate and see how quick I could go out in the final. The second 50m was a bit more relaxed.
“That swim gives me a lot of confidence, the only person quicker than me in this event is Marc Evers of the Netherlands, but I feel good ahead of the final and if I stay relaxed I have a good chance tonight.”
His time of 1:03.10 saw him win his heat and qualified as through third quickest.
Full results from the third day of heats action here in Dublin can be found here.