This is Bath -- Bath swimmers Michael Jamieson and Sophie Allen both set British records but could not prevent a dramatic defeat for the European Allstars at the2013 Speedo Duel In The Pool. With the scores level at 131-131 after all of the scheduled events in Glasgow, Team USA needed a world record 1mins 37.17secs to out-touch Europe by just 0.2 seconds in the tie-breaker, a 4x50m mixed medley relay, to claim an extra point and win the event. Home favourites Fran Halsall (50m freestyle) and Bath Intensive Training Centre's Allen (200m individual medley) both picked up individual wins for the Europeans, while Mireia Belmonte added wins in the 800m freestyle and 200m butterfly to her two victories from the opening night. Halsall endured an emotional rollercoaster on the night, landing full points in the 50m freestyle, then combining with Michelle Coleman, Jeanette Ottesen and Femke Heemskerk to take women's 4x100m freestyle in 3:27.70 as the Duel came to its conclusion. She returned just minutes later, anchoring a European 4x50m mixed medley relay quartet that also featured Bath backstroker Chris Walker-Hebborn, Damir Dugonjic and Ottesen. And while the Europeans missed out on their first crown by less than half a second, the Brit insisted the European Allstars would leave Glasgow with their heads held high. "It's been a tough day," admitted Halsall. "We were ahead but we knew it was going to be touch and go as to who would win. "It came down to the freestyle relays and the girls really got together as a unit and swam really well and broke the world record. That was fantastic to be a part of and I was really buzzing after that. "I knew I'd have to calm back down and get ready for a swim-off and that was hard and emotional but so great to be a part of and I really enjoyed it. "Standing up as a European team and being that close to the Americans with so many people behind you is something I will be proud of for a long time." After raising the roof with 200m breaststroke victory on the opening day, Olympic silver medallist Jamieson was a star attraction again. He broke the British record but narrowly missed out on points as he clocked 57.52 for fourth spot in the 100m Breaststroke. Allen also set a new national standards in both the 100m breaststroke (1:05.39) and 200m individual medley (2:05.90), while Jazz Carlin touched third with a Welsh record 8:12.01 in the 800m freestyle. And Jamieson, who will return to Tollcross in April next year for the 2014 British Gas Swimming Championships, admitted he could have no complaints with his form on his international homecoming. "I'm really happy with my swim tonight," said Jamieson. "That's 0.3 faster than my time at Europeans last week, which is a new British record, so I'm delighted. "I don't have the speed that those other guys have over 100m breast and can't match those tall guys over the front half. "But the atmosphere here tonight was amazing again and it's so good to have so many people and this kind of coverage. "As good as last night was, I had it in my legs to go faster. In a strange way I knew I had a bit left and was capable of getting that British record again today."
Reported by This is 10 hours ago.
This is Bath -- Bath swimmers Michael Jamieson and Sophie Allen both set British records but could not prevent a dramatic defeat for the European Allstars at the2013 Speedo Duel In The Pool. With the scores level at 131-131 after all of the scheduled events in Glasgow, Team USA needed a world record 1mins 37.17secs to out-touch Europe by just 0.2 seconds in the tie-breaker, a 4x50m mixed medley relay, to claim an extra point and win the event. Home favourites Fran Halsall (50m freestyle) and Bath Intensive Training Centre's Allen (200m individual medley) both picked up individual wins for the Europeans, while Mireia Belmonte added wins in the 800m freestyle and 200m butterfly to her two victories from the opening night. Halsall endured an emotional rollercoaster on the night, landing full points in the 50m freestyle, then combining with Michelle Coleman, Jeanette Ottesen and Femke Heemskerk to take women's 4x100m freestyle in 3:27.70 as the Duel came to its conclusion. She returned just minutes later, anchoring a European 4x50m mixed medley relay quartet that also featured Bath backstroker Chris Walker-Hebborn, Damir Dugonjic and Ottesen. And while the Europeans missed out on their first crown by less than half a second, the Brit insisted the European Allstars would leave Glasgow with their heads held high. "It's been a tough day," admitted Halsall. "We were ahead but we knew it was going to be touch and go as to who would win. "It came down to the freestyle relays and the girls really got together as a unit and swam really well and broke the world record. That was fantastic to be a part of and I was really buzzing after that. "I knew I'd have to calm back down and get ready for a swim-off and that was hard and emotional but so great to be a part of and I really enjoyed it. "Standing up as a European team and being that close to the Americans with so many people behind you is something I will be proud of for a long time." After raising the roof with 200m breaststroke victory on the opening day, Olympic silver medallist Jamieson was a star attraction again. He broke the British record but narrowly missed out on points as he clocked 57.52 for fourth spot in the 100m Breaststroke. Allen also set a new national standards in both the 100m breaststroke (1:05.39) and 200m individual medley (2:05.90), while Jazz Carlin touched third with a Welsh record 8:12.01 in the 800m freestyle. And Jamieson, who will return to Tollcross in April next year for the 2014 British Gas Swimming Championships, admitted he could have no complaints with his form on his international homecoming. "I'm really happy with my swim tonight," said Jamieson. "That's 0.3 faster than my time at Europeans last week, which is a new British record, so I'm delighted. "I don't have the speed that those other guys have over 100m breast and can't match those tall guys over the front half. "But the atmosphere here tonight was amazing again and it's so good to have so many people and this kind of coverage. "As good as last night was, I had it in my legs to go faster. In a strange way I knew I had a bit left and was capable of getting that British record again today."
Reported by This is 10 hours ago.