Laine achieves aim of breaking legend's mark

THREE new records were set at the final event of the Guernsey Swimming Club's 200m championships - the backstroke. Swimming in the over-16 age group, Jo Laine reset the oldest of them.

Former Commonwealth Games competitor and Sarnian legend Cate Jackson set the previous best in 1983.

Her record stood at 2min. 30.52sec. and the crowd watched as the electronic scoreboard clocked Laine touching in 2-29.99.

'This time last year we looked at it and Jo said this was the one record she wanted to break.

'All through the year that has been her aim,' said GSC coach Jo Winberg.

The biggest margin sliced off a previous record was accredited to Kristina Neves.

Swimming in the 11-and-under group, she registered 2-45.92 to erase a massive 14 seconds off the former standard.

The previous record holder of this event, Elizabeth Falla, set the record in 1999 and witnessed the new mark being set from her place as an official timekeeper for the event.

Ellie Ogier claimed silver in this event and Nicole Hewlett the bronze.

'Kristina took a massive slice off the record and the amazing thing is that she still has another year left in that age group,' Winberg said.

The coach's son, Luke, set the third new record, also in the 11-and-under category.

He swam four seconds faster than the standard set by Ben Lowndes in 1997.

Less than three seconds separated the silver and bronze medals, with Aaron Mahieu winning silver and Pierce Gregory the bronze.

The competitor with the largest personal best came from this age group with Jay Mason swimming a massive 23 seconds faster than he has previously done over this stroke and distance.

Lowndes himself was the winner of the 16-and-over title with Ryan Dawe taking the silver.

Martin Chapman's new personal best time was rewarded with the bronze medal.

In the 12-13 girls event Ella Snell swam a 14-second personal best to earn the gold.

Snell was a clear winner ahead of Elisha Benstead who won silver with a 10-second personal best.

An improving Haylie Mahieu claimed the bronze.

In the 12-13 boys, James Hewlett continues to show improvement over all the strokes.

He won the gold ahead of Matthew Bourgaize in silver and Daniel Airley in the bronze medal position.

Heather Chapman also swam a 14-second personal best in winning the 14-15 age group.

In the 14-15 boys, Matthew Butt was clear in first place in what is probably one of his least favourite events.

Stewart Hume swam just outside his personal best time to take silver, with Adam Norman claiming the bronze.