Carlin claims scalps of Adlington and Jackson in Swansea

From Richard Anderson, Sportsbeat, in Swansea

JAZMIN Carlin beat a world class 400m freestyle field at the British Gas Great Britain v Germany meet in Swansea, claiming the scalps of Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington and world silver medallist Jo Jackson.

BEST OF BRITAIN: Jaz Carlin upstages Rebecca Adlington and Jo Jackson to take 400m freestyle gold in Swansea (OnEdition)

Swansea-based Carlin, 19, romped out in front from the halfway mark before touching home in 4:06.41 minutes - less than half a second down on the personal best she set last year, when polyurethane super suits were still legal.

Jackson, who finished second at the World Championships last summer behind Italy's Federica Pellegrini, was next to touch home, 2.13 seconds off the pace while Adlington, also the Olympic champion over 800m, was third in 4:10.17.

Carlin's victory helped Great Britain to a commanding lead after day one of the competition in Wales, with a 46-point advantage over Germany.

"I am really happy with that race," Carlin said. "I was really nervous before the start and I told my coach about my nerves and he said to just focus on my race.

"I knew that I had to swim my own race because both Jo and Becky are such strong swimmers I had to just do my own thing and I know what I can do and my race so I just tried to even split it and it worked.

"The home crowd helped with that race. This is my home pool and it was unusual to race in the pool, but they were really behind us all the way."

World champion Liam Tancock swam close to his world record as he sealed victory in the men's 50m backstroke, touching home in 24.92 secs to beat team-mate Matt Clay.

In total, Great Britain have amassed 102 points as there was also a world-leading performance from world silver medallist Fran Halsall and two victories for Lizzie Simmonds.

Simmonds set the tone with a storming victory in the opening event - the 50m backstroke - before Tancock followed suit with an equally impressive performance.

Simmonds returned to the pool to claim an emphatic victory in the 200m backstroke while Halsall clocked 54.52 in the 100m freestyle.

Paul Biedermann, who secured Michael Phelps' 200m freestyle title and world record as well as breaking Ian Thorpe's iconic 400m world mark in Rome, romped to victory in the 100m and 400m freestyle races.