There were two national records on the first night of finals at the New Zealand Summer Championships in Christchurch.
Daniel Bell of West Auckland, the world youth champion, broke the record in the men's 100 medley while Hayley Palmer of North Shore set a new mark in the 1000m freestyle.
There were classy performances from Olympians Melissa Ingram in winning the women's 200m backstroke and Glenn Snyders in the 50m breaststroke, while Australian world record-holder Marieke Guehrer showed her class winning the 50m butterfly and 100m freestyle.
Bell took over the mantle from swimming legend Dean Kent, pipping the veteran in his final swim to claim the 100m medley in 54.20, 3/10ths inside Kent's previous New Zealand record.
Kent, an 11-time winner of the title, finished second in his final event at national level, deciding a few weeks ago to prepare for the meet.
