Untapered Gilchrist romps to 100m breaststroke title at Ponds Forge

From Chris Cottrell, Sportsbeat, in Sheffield

KRIS Gilchrist admitted his risky tactics at the British Gas Swimming Championships in Sheffield paid off after the Scot sealed his place in the British team for this summer's European Championships.

BRITISH STRIPES: Kris Gilchrist booked his place in the British squad for the European Championships after victory in a tight 100m breaststroke final (Getty Images)

Gilchrist opted not to taper for the event, prioritising the Scottish Championships later in the year where he will vie for a spot in the Scottish team for October's Commonwealth Games.

But Gilchrist was still eager to seal a place at August's European Championships in Budapest and did so in the most dramatic of fashions, edging out compatriot Michael Jamieson by 0.02 seconds to win the men's 100m breaststroke final.

And the 26-year old admitted victory in Sheffield was an unexpected bonus ahead of the defence of his 200m breaststroke title on Saturday.

"Yesterday I felt absolutely awful but I today I felt a lot better, luckily," said Gilchrist.

"That's just what happens when you don't taper for an event but everything went to plan, even if I left it quite late.

"The big target for me at the meets is qualification for the Europeans so now that's out the way, I can look forward to the 200m."

While the two Scots shone, British record holder Daniel Sliwinski will be sweating on a Commonwealth spot after finishing fifth.

English swimmers, Richard Webb and Darren Mew, both finished ahead of the 19-year old, but Sliwinski insisted he wasn't going to get too down on himself, having touched home only 0.44 secs slower than the winner.

"I'm not too disheartened about it," said Sliwinski. "I gave it my best shot and that is about all I can ask of myself really.

"It's not the end for me - I've got the 50m and 200m breaststroke still to go yet so I am going to have to put more impetus on them now."

There were also tight finishes to the finals of the men's 200m backstroke and 50m fly on the third day in Sheffield.

James Goddard and British record holder Chris Walker-Hebborn went head-to-head in the 200m backstroke with defending champion Walker-Hebborn having dominated the morning's heats.

But Goddard turned the tables in the final, leading for the entire race before touching home in 1:57.06 minutes - 0.33 seconds ahead of the 19-year old.

And while European and Commonwealth qualification wasn't at stake in the 50m butterfly - the event not an Olympic discipline - the final was fiercely contested with Ian Hulme eventually prevailing in a season's best 24.22 seconds.

James Doolan followed him home 0.29 secs back with Jamie Thorpe clocking a personal best 24.65 in third.

IN PICTURES: Day three from the British Gas Swimming Championships in Sheffield

The nation's leading energy supplier British Gas is the Principal Partner of British Swimming, and have pledged £15m to support the sport at all levels - from paddling pool to podium. For more information visit www.britishgas.co.uk/swimming