Great Britain's Olivia Baker and Robyn Swatman smash PB in world duet debut

Great Britain’s Olivia Baker and Robyn Swatman smashed their personal best score in their first competition together on the world stage, shining on the second day of the FINA World Youth Artistic Swimming Championships in Slovakia.

The Walsall duo have replaced Kate Shortman and Isabelle Thorpe as the British youth duet, with Shortman and Thorpe having made the successful transition to senior competition.

In fitting fashion, Baker and Swatman swam the same routine that Shortman and Thorpe had previously swum at this competition.

Both youngsters had their first taste of competition in Samorin on the opening day, featuring in the Team Preliminary, while Swatman also made an impressive start in the Solo Preliminary.

That would have settled their nerves for the Duet Preliminary and their free routine was executed superbly.

Baker and Swatman scored 72.9332, an improvement of three marks on their previous personal best and earning them 17th place overall.

That score will be added to both swimmers’ solo scores from the compulsory figures competition on Friday 30 August.

They will need to finish inside the top 12 to qualify for a place in Sunday’s final.