The highly anticipated Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games swimming competition is set to have a dramatic increase in competitiveness after the recent Queensland Swimming Championships at the Chandler Aquatic Centre.
Leisel Jones and Jade Edmistone last night fought a ferocious battle in the 100 metres Breaststroke final in order to secure the 2005 Queensland Championship, and more importantly, gain a competitive edge for the upcoming Commonwealth Games trials.
Triple world champion Ms Jones, plagued by a virus in the lead-up to the championships, rose from her sick bed to claim the 100m Breaststroke final in a world class time of 1 minute 06.90 seconds.
Not to be outdone, Ms Edmistone clocked a 1 minute 07.70 seconds – her second best time ever – making her the fourth fastest Australian ever.
Third fastest female Australian breaststroke swimmer over this distance of all time, Ms Edmistone put up good fight against the Olympic silver medallist and posted a time of 1 minute 07.70 seconds to come in second place.
Ms Jones was excited by the time she had posted:
“Jade swam really fast in the morning session and I was doubting I could even break 1:08, so to come out with a 1 minute 06 second swim is really pleasing,” she said.
The multitude of swimmers competing for this coveted spot in the Australia’s Commonwealth Games team is set to make the battle for these positions even more intense.
Tarnee White and Olympic Silver Medallist Brooke Hanson are also a chance for qualifying for the Games team in the 100 metres.
“Stephan (her coach) says he loves having Jade, Tarnee and Brooke around because it creates a real dogfight for positions and it is certainly pushing me at training and at different meets,” Ms Jones said.
Libby Lenton, training partner to Ms Jones, also competed at the Queensland Championships and continued to break records, setting a Queensland All-Comers record to win the 100 metres Women’s Freestyle in a time of 54.17 seconds, half-a-second outside Jodie Henry’s world record time set at the Athens Olympics in 2004.
Ms Lenton overcame two of her fiercest Australian rivals, Australian champion Alice Mills who place second, and current world record holder Jodie Henry in third.
The Telstra Commonwealth Games Swimming Trials begin on 30 January 2006 at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre.
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