Rebecca Adlington set a Commonwealth record of 8:19.22 in the 800m freestyle at British trials, missing the European record of Laure Manaudou by just 0.42sec to rise to fourth fastest ever. In the bargain, Adlington also eclipsed the oldest British record on the books, which was set by Sarah Hardcastle at 8:24.77 in 1986, three years before the new record holder was born. The Commonwealth standard had stood at 8:22.93 to Julie McDonald (AUS) since 1988.
The new list of sub 8:20 swimmers:
Adlington, 19, had arrived at trials as 27th fastest ever with a best of 8:25.73.
Her splits: 1:00.31; 2:03.23; 3:05.90; 4:08.92; 5:11.65; 6:14.93; 7:17.79; 8:19.22. Adlington has mastered her stroke. She looks to be developing into a supreme technician capable of flowing, capable of responding to turns of speed. She was a class apart tonight. She was overjoyed too. Asked about how her new speed related to the world leaders and in Europe to Laure Manaudou, she said: 'I didn't even think about that. I went in with the attitude of 'just let's do the [qualifying] time and then do it big in the final'.
'I always knew it was there and my mum promised me a new pair of shoes if i did, so I get my favourite shoes now.' Adlington revealed that she's got her eyes on more than one French target. You can check out the Christian Louboutin kitten heels she intends to be clicking around in here. Wow! How much? 'I'm not even going to say - just a massive credit card bill, that's all,' said the vivacious Adlington, her terrific personality spilling in bucketloads.
She had discussed how to approach the race with her coach Bill Furniss. 'He said to just take it easy. He said he'd give me a sign if I wasn't on pace, we had it all set up,' said Adlington through laughter.
Did the final promise more? 'I hope so, especially because we've got that day of rest' (the final will be staged on Saturday), so I hope so, I bloody hope so.'
Furniss, at the Nova Centurion club, was 'an amazing coach - at the last Olympic trials, I was 14 and just 0.1sec outside the B qualifying time. We build each year, we build into it, and take it steady and say 'this is my aim for now'.
Asked about the suit issue, Adlington, wearing a culloted version of a blue Diana suit, said: 'You know what, I haven't even shaved down at all. I've got a new suit on but I don't care what I race in. I'm scaring myself [in terms of what she might be capable of soon]. I could have eased off a bit but I thought 'Olympics - you can't do that, you're going to have to go hard in heats just to get a place in the final', so I thought why not.' Roll on Saturday morning.