The Christchurch swimmer Sophie Pascoe smashed two Para swimming world short course records on the opening day of the nationals in Auckland.
Sophie Pascoe Photo: Photosport
Pascoe broake the women's 200m S10 short course world record by almost four seconds in a new personal best time of 2:06.58.
"The 200 free was not just a great race because of the PB and world record but also how I executed the race plan. Being a sprinter, I do tend to go out a little fast but I really backed up my last 100", says Pascoe.
Pascoe then followed it up by breaking her own 50m butterfly S10 world short course record, which she'd set earlier on the day, in a time of 28.42.
The challenge of short course meets is one Pascoe is embracing,
"Short course obviously isn't in my favour with missing my leg and turning a lot, so it's been a great challenge to make sure all the turns have to be fast and sharp to get PBs".
The New Zealand women's 100m short course breaststroke record was broken twice. In the morning heats Rio Olympian Helena Gasson of Auckland set a new record only to be pipped in the final by .03 of a second by Porirua swimmer Bronagh Ryan in 1:07.35.
Nevill Sutton who coaches Ryan was elated after the final. "It's great to see Bronagh and Helena, who are a little older, in a close final like that pushing each other right to the finish, it's great for the sport".
Gasson later returned to win gold in the 50m butterfly final in 27.07 ahead of Rebekah Bradley (27.36) and Gabrielle Fa'amausili (27.41) from United Swimming Club.
The highly anticipated finals showdown in the men's 400m individual medley between Bradlee Ashby (Fairfield) and Lewis Clareburt (Capital) never eventuated. Clareburt was disqualified in his heat.
Ashby won gold in a time of 4:10.12 with North Shore club swimmers Andrew Trembath (4:18.87) winning silver and Callum Prime (4:20.68) bronze.
