Swimming: Peerless Price destroys rivals but misses out on record
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Your support makes all the difference.Such is the infallibility of Sarah Price this season, that even when beset by illness or the rigours of hard training she is still in top form. At the British Grand Prix final here last night, the 23-year-old defeated the reigning Commonwealth champion, Katy Sexton, by over six seconds to win the women's 200 metres backstroke in 2min 12.37sec, just short of her own British record.
For Price, the victory was sweet, and well within the one per cent of her best time which the national performance director, Bill Sweetenham, the trouble-shooter from Australia, demands of his swimmers throughout the season. "I wasn't expecting that," said Price, who has set 23 national records since 2000.
"I'm really pleased with the time. I put my body under a hell of a lot of pressure in training, so when I compete, I can deal with it and still swim fast. I know my rivals will be looking at my times and they'll be after me at the Commonwealths, but I want to stay at No 1, and I never want to be beaten."
Margaretha Pedder, of Portsmouth, was one of a number of swimmers whose plans were disrupted by flight delays. She missed the first two days of the competition, but made amends with victory in the 200m butterfly. In the absence of the American-based Georgina Lee, Pedder touched home first in 2.11.42, just 1.21sec shy of Lee's British record.
"I think that justified me coming all the way up here for one day," Pedder said.
"That was quicker than what I did to qualify for the Games, but I know I can go a lot faster."
James Hickman, the reigning Commonwealth champion, was a beleaguered figure last season when he failed to qualify for the Fukuoka World Championships.
Six weeks ago in Moscow, the 26-year-old became the first man to win four consecutive world short course gold medals. Last night, he took his second title of the competition in the 100m butterfly, in a time of 54.29sec.
"I had to get myself up for it," said Hickman. "I'm just looking to swim as fast as I can at this stage of the season."
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