pressure is building for Michael Jamieson in the countdown to this summer's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, but the 25-year-old Olympic silver medallist confirmed last night he thrives on a challenge at the British Gas Championships at the Tollcross International Centre in Glasgow.
The time of 2:07.79 in the 200m breaststroke was just outside his British record - and faster than when he won at the Scottish Gas Cham-pionships in the same pool last week.
England's Adam Peaty (2:09.40) finished second and Andrew Willis (2:09.85) was third. Scot Craig Benson was fifth and, as at the Scottish Championships, he just missed out on Commonwealth Games selection.
"With just more than 100 days to go until the Games I'm just where I want to be," said Jamieson after posting a world's best time this year. "I have a wonderful opportunity this summer and I've got to take it. I am very happy to be going faster each time I compete."
Caitlin McClatchey just missed out on a medal in the 200m freestyle, but Scotland's three-time Olympian was delighted to clinch a Games qualifying time of 1:59.02. England's Siobhan-Marie O'Connor won in 1:56.39. McClatchey won the Games 200m and 400m in Melbourne eight years ago but her trials have been affected by a back problem.
"The injury is a touch better than last week, but I'm not where I want to be," said the Edinburgh University Masters student. "But it is a relief to get the Games time and I'll be a different girl in the summer.
"I'll see how my back is tomorrow before I make any decision about going in the 400m and 100m this weekend. Everything I do from now on will be about Glasgow 2014."
For O'Connor, the victory was a pay-off for a slight change in her training. "I was happy with the heat and even happier to go faster in the final," said the 18-year-old. "Coming into these Championships I wasn't sure if I could make our 1:56.77 qualifying time. But I've been working hard in the gym and got stronger. Today I was able to bring it home."
Hannah Miley opted out of her favourite 400m individual medley, but there was some good news for the Scot who will be defending the title at Glasgow 2014. Aimee Willmott won the race and was inside the English Games qualifying time, but her 4:35.94 was 0.46sec slower than Miley's effort at last week's Scottish trials. The pair going head to head promises to be one of the Commonwealth highlights.
"I would like to have gone quicker," admitted Middlesbrough's Willmott. "But I know I have a lot more in the tank for this summer."
Corrie Scott (Edinburgh University), the Scottish champion, won her semi-final of the 50m breaststroke in 31.63sec and she will be joined by fellow-Scots Kathryn Johnstone, Andrea Strachan and Katie Armitage in tonight's final.
City of Glasgow's Robbie Renwick decided not to defend the 400m freestyle - he has already made sure of Games selection - but England's James Guy made his mark with a superb British record of 3:45.15. It was a two-second personal best for the 28-year-old and more than three seconds inside Renwick's Scottish Championship winning time.
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