Strobridge responds with relay stunner

THERE was a golden Gail blowing through the Clickimin pool area yesterday evening. Guernsey's Gail Strobridge came into her own on the third night of finals, claiming two individual golds as well as bringing the 4 x 100m freestyle team home in first place.

She began with a convincing victory in the 100m breaststroke, leading from the start and turning in 36.09sec. having already built up a decent advantage.

Her winning time was 1min. 15.95sec., a gap of 0.72sec. between her and Sarah-Jane Smith of Jersey in second.

Strobridge then demonstrated her sprinting prowess in taking the 50m freestyle gold, being the only swimmer to break 28sec. and she was well under that mark, clocking 27.37.

But it was her performance in the relay that really stood out.

Youngsters Robyn Le Friec, Sophie Castle and Rachael Le Page ensured she was in contention come the final 100m, but Strobridge still had work to do as she entered the water in third place, well over a second behind leaders the Cayman Islands.

By the end of her first length, though, she had hauled in those ahead of her and she just continued to pull away thereafter - it was a breathtaking leg.

Strobridge later said that nights in the pool do not come much better than this.

'The gold medal in the relay just tops it off,' she said and revealed that she was extremely nervous when on the blocks as her three colleagues before her had given her just what she was asking for - a chance for gold.

Team manager Alison Frankland paid tribute to the whole quartet.

'There were two young swimmers in their first Games in Robyn Le Friec and Rachael Le Page and both were really nervous.

'Robyn's first leg was a brilliant 61sec. and that gave us a good start and everyone kept the momentum going.

'I knew that Gail would pull it off and her experience shone through. She swam a 57 leg - an amazing time.'

Tom Hollingsworth had begun the night off in perfect fashion as he completed a 100 and 200m individual medley double, clocking 58.68sec., with Ben Lowndes following him home for a fine silver.

'I did not think I would win it coming here, but after the 200m win on Monday, I felt more confident,' he said.

However, Hollingsworth, for once, had to bow to the better man in the 200m backstroke as Ian Powell demonstrated why he won the national title at this distance.

Although he has not tapered down for these Games because the nationals are in three weeks' time, Powell still had it in him to set a new Island Games record of 2-01.93.

'My best time is a second quicker, but I am just pleased to do well and win the gold,' he said.

'You always feel a bit of pressure but I just relaxed and enjoyed the race.'

Hollingsworth took silver in that event and there were also silvers for Games debutant Jeremy Osborne in the 100m freestyle, Powell in the 50m butterfly and the men's 4 x 100m medley team. Lowndes also scooped a bronze in the 100m freestyle.

'It has been a good night, really satisfying. As well as winning gold medals, it is interesting to see what excellent times the swimmers are putting in,' said Frankland.

'They have worked really hard and the effort they have put in is reflected in the medals they have won. Hopefully the team will finish on a high on the last night.'