Powell sprints to surprise 50 final

IAN POWELL twice smashed his own island record as he reached the final of the 50m backstroke at the ASA Commonwealth Games trials in Sheffield. The Beau Sejour Barracuda starts this evening's final in the 50m Pond's Forge pool ranked seventh after a day in which he even surprised himself with his performances.

'This is quite good for Ian,' said coach Alison Frankland of a swimmer more renowned for his 100 and 200 backstroke performances.

'I think he's very happy to reach a final on the first day.'

'Obviously he's going for the 200 back, but in the 50 he's looked good, very strong and pleased with his times.'

In the morning heats the 19-year-old clocked 27.40sec. to qualify for the semi-finals seventh fastest behind swimmers such as Matthew Clay, Liam Tancock, Gregor Tait and Andrew Shepherd.

In the semis he lowered his island best further to 27.39, but is someway off a medal with event favourite Tancock clocking a 25.99.

Guernsey's other performer on day one of the senior nationals was young Jeremy Osborne, but he disappointed in the 200m freestyle.

His time of 2min. 03.57sec. was well off the pace after going in the first heat. He went out very well on the first 100 split before fading.

'The 200 isn't an event he tends to concentrate on,' said his coach. 'But he's looking forward to the 50 and the 100.'