Hollingsworth posts best ever domestic backstroke
TOM HOLLINGSWORTH thrilled the Barracudas Open crowd with the fastest 50m backstroke Beau Sejour has ever seen – and the modest veteran suggests that more is to come.
With many of Guernsey’s top swimmers saving their very best for next month’s Island Games, the majority of the 33 gala records set at the three-day spectacle came down to a contingent of young Jersey visitors.
But 31-year-old Hollingsworth remained the star of the show after producing an all-comers’ pool record over 50 back.
He had already held the mark due to an Island Championships performance from 14 years ago, but he eclipsed this and showed glimpses of his very best by powering to a 26.37sec. clocking as part of an impressive series of sprints.
This chopped a second off Ben Lowndes’ gala record and Hollingsworth now hopes to continue his progression ahead of Gibraltar.
‘I didn’t think I was going to swim as well as I have done this weekend, and if I look at previous years, I’m right where I need to be to swim well in a few weeks’ time,’ said Hollingsworth.
‘I should drop a bit more with a shave and a taper. The butterfly’s been right on the money as well, as has the 100 free.’
More in Monday's Guernsey Press.
