Ireland set relay record

The Ireland swimming team got an early boost on the opening day of the European senior championships in Helsinki yesterday by…

The Ireland swimming team got an early boost on the opening day of the European senior championships in Helsinki yesterday by smashing a 10-year-old Irish record for the women's 4x100 metres freestyle relay.

The team of Chantal Gibney, Lee Kelleher, Julie Douglas and Emma Robinson were well inside the previous best time of 4:04.4 set in Lisbon in 1991 with a blistering 3:55.08. Robinson and Douglas open their individual campaigns today while one of the team's main hopes, Colin Lowth, goes in the heats of the 200 metres butterfly tomorrow.

Robinson, who trains at Bath University, joins her sister Louise for the 100 metres breaststroke this morning, while Douglas lines up for the 100 metres freestyle heats.

By the weekend, most Irish interest will centre on Chantal Gibney and her bid for a good result in the 100 metres freestyle. The top Irish international opens her campaign in the 200 metres on Friday and, following her great swim over the shorter distance when breaking Michelle de Bruin's record in the US nationals in Seattle earlier this year, her form will be keenly observed.

READ MORE

Open seas races this week are the Carraig Masters at Windsurf Pier Salthill on Saturday (5 p.m.) and the Dublin SC Seapoint to Blackrock races on Sunday (6.30 p.m.).