Imogen Clark breaks British 50m Breaststroke record

Swimming News

Both Imogen Clark and Sarah Vasey went under the British 50m Breaststroke record on day one of the British Swimming Championships 2017 at Ponds Forge in Sheffield.

Derventio Excel swimmer Clark was the fastest to the wall to claim the British title as well as the record. The closing metres of the sprint saw her shoulder to shoulder with Vasey, who trains at Loughborough.

Clark, who had already claimed the British 17yrs age group record in the heats, touched in 30.21 to take gold. She was followed closely by Vasey who claimed silver with a PB 30.30.

Clark commented on her performance: “It feels amazing, I am really happy with that swim. I wasn’t expecting a record, I just wanted to go out there and do my best.

“It’s always nice racing Sarah, we’ve swam together since we were little.”

The final medal went to Scotland’s Corrie Scott, who touched in 31.00 for bronze.

Walker-Hebborn glides to 50m Backstroke gold

Chris Walker-Hebborn showed he was not to be trifled with in the Men’s 50m Backstroke, leaving the field behind to claim gold.

Walker-Hebborn, who trains at the National Training Centre in Bath, took the title with a time of 25.19.

The double Olympian was over half a second faster than his rivals. Joe Elwood of Loughborough University touched in 25.70 for silver and Scotland’s Craig McNally touched third in 25.80.

Walker-Hebborn said: “It feels pretty good, had a comfortable swim this morning, went away and shaved and popped out a good time so I’m happy with that.

“I’ve changed coach [since Rio] and training has been going really well, and judging by that time I should have another good swim tomorrow.”

While he fell shy of the podium, Newcastle’s Nicholas Pyle underlined his potential with a British 16 Yrs age group record of 26.08 to finish sixth.

View full results from day one of the British Swimming Championships 2017.

Top