Fran Halsall added another medal to her growing collection of Commonwealth Games successes after blowing away the field to take the women’s 50m freestyle gold in Glasgow.
The 24-year-old, a two-time Olympian, had qualified fastest for the final and duly delivered another standout swim to win in a Games record time of 23.96 seconds.
Her first gold medal in Glasgow, on top of 4x100m freestyle silver, takes her tally of Commonwealth medals to nine.
And there is a good chance that number could rise on Sunday after she qualified fastest for the 50m butterfly final in another Games record time of 25.36.
“I felt sick before the race because I knew everything was going well and I knew I had something left in the tank,” said Halsall.
“It was a sick feeling as I knew I could swim fast and I wanted to but sometimes I can try too hard.
“I am on track to where I want to be in two years’ time so it’s a good start. I was saying to my coach beforehand that it’s so nice to have this experience two years after London when I went in knowing I wasn’t in as good shape as wanted to be.
“Tonight I was just able to enjoy the crowd and know that I was able to put on a good show.”
Fellow Olympian Amy Smith could only manage an eighth-place finish in the same 50m freestyle final, while Elizabeth Simmonds placed fifth in the women’s 100m backstroke final.
Liam Tancock, fresh from his bronze medal in the men’s 100m backstroke on Friday, qualified fifth fastest for the 50m backstroke final and is confident he can add to his Glasgow medal tally.
“I’m confident of going out there and racing fast if not for a medal,” he said.
“It being close doesn’t really mean I’ve got a point to prove – I’m a bit of a funny one as I just do it for myself and love to swim.
“It’s what I’ve always done and it seems to have worked so I’m going to go out all smiles and enjoy the experience.
“I will have a dip to loosen up and come back in the evening ready and raring to go.”
© Sportsbeat 2014