Gandy in shock as she smashes European record

Posted: Thursday 19th March 2009 | 19:14

ELLEN Gandy was left 'stunned and speechless' after smashing her personal best by nearly three seconds and claiming a new European 200m butterfly record.

Gandy sets new European record in Sheffield
EURO STAR: Ellen Gandy, 17, sets new European record at British Championships in Sheffield (SWpix.xom)

The 17-year old, who is based in Australia, erased Poland's Otylia Jedrejczak's former time when she touched home in 2.04.83 minutes at the British Gas national championships in Sheffield.

"I can't believe that time - I'm in shock and speechless," said Gandy, who faced an anxious wait for her time to be ratified after problems with the official timekeeping.

"It didn't even feel that fast, so I couldn't believe it when I looked at the scoreboard and saw just how quick I went.

"I'm so happy in my life at the moment and that just really reflects in my swimming.

"My aim was to make the team for the World Championships, so it's been an amazing week."

Gandy's time would have been good enough for bronze at last year's Olympics but she still has some way to improve to challenge Chinese world record holder Liu Zige who clocked 2:04.18m in Beijing.

James Goddard was left fuming after he was beaten to gold in the men’s 200m backstroke by 18-year old Chris Walker-Hebborn, tipped as one of British Swimming's rising stars by performance director Michael Scott.

Walker-Hebborn set a 1.59.36 personal best during the heats but went even quicker to claim a first national title in 1.57.95.

Double Olympian Goddard was second but his 1.58.34 time was over a second and a half down on his 2008 personal best.

"If I'm honest I think I did have that race won," admitted Goddard. "Maybe I was a bit tired after the medley but that's no excuse - I couldn't keep up with Chris at the end of the day.

"But it looks like I've got a few young rivals coming through and that can only be good for backstroke and good for British Swimming."

RYAN BANGS in Sheffield