This is Somerset --
SWIMMING
Fran Halsall believes the Duel in the Pool in Glasgow over the weekend has provided the perfect preparation for the Commonwealth Games next summer.
The World Championships bronze medallist was one of the success stories for a European All-stars team who lost out to Team USA following a tense tiebreaker.
The Tollcross Swimming Centre, which hosted the event, will also be the venue for the 2014 Games and Halsall hopes she will be back in the city and competing for medals.
Reflecting on her Duel efforts, she said: "It was a petty good day, winning the 50metres freestyle and winning the freestyle relay.
"It's great to just race fast and race the best nation in the world at swimming because America obviously are the best nation.
"It's been a great experience, especially to get the experience of a pool where the Commonwealth Games are going to be next year.
"It's good to have this experience before we hopefully come back here again next summer."
The Americans had never lost previous Duels against either Australia or the Europeans but were pushed all the way this time in the two day event, which saw Europe lead by 68-54 points after day one.
Both teams then found themselves locked on 131 points after 30 events, before Team USA triumphed in a mixed relay tie-breaker, with Halsall part of the European relay team who just missed out.
This clash proved to be a far closer affair than previous Duels, which saw Europe slump to bigger losses in Manchester in 2009 and Atlanta in 2011. Halsall added: "I think it's good that we have got closer and closer to them every year." Reported by This is 2 hours ago.
SWIMMING
Fran Halsall believes the Duel in the Pool in Glasgow over the weekend has provided the perfect preparation for the Commonwealth Games next summer.
The World Championships bronze medallist was one of the success stories for a European All-stars team who lost out to Team USA following a tense tiebreaker.
The Tollcross Swimming Centre, which hosted the event, will also be the venue for the 2014 Games and Halsall hopes she will be back in the city and competing for medals.
Reflecting on her Duel efforts, she said: "It was a petty good day, winning the 50metres freestyle and winning the freestyle relay.
"It's great to just race fast and race the best nation in the world at swimming because America obviously are the best nation.
"It's been a great experience, especially to get the experience of a pool where the Commonwealth Games are going to be next year.
"It's good to have this experience before we hopefully come back here again next summer."
The Americans had never lost previous Duels against either Australia or the Europeans but were pushed all the way this time in the two day event, which saw Europe lead by 68-54 points after day one.
Both teams then found themselves locked on 131 points after 30 events, before Team USA triumphed in a mixed relay tie-breaker, with Halsall part of the European relay team who just missed out.
This clash proved to be a far closer affair than previous Duels, which saw Europe slump to bigger losses in Manchester in 2009 and Atlanta in 2011. Halsall added: "I think it's good that we have got closer and closer to them every year." Reported by This is 2 hours ago.
