Chris Jones gets Gold at British Championships

Chris Jones: British 100m Breaststroke Champion 2007

Date:28 Mar 2007 Location: Manchester, UK Event: 2007 British Championships (50m)

In the 100m Breaststroke, Swindon Dolphin’s Chris Jones took the title in a hard-fought race against Julien Nicolardot of France. Neck and neck from start, there was nothing between the pair on the turn and it was down to the touch with just seven hundredths of a second separating them. Jones touched home for his first senior British title in 1:03.21, Nicolardot grabbed silver in 1:03.28 and Loughborough University’s Christopher Watkinson won bronze in 1:03.64.

“I’m feeling fast at the moment and I wanted to go 62, but I couldn’t seem to do it this morning,” said Jones. “I even got up at 3.30am to get ready.

“In the heats I went out easy and brought it back strong and it felt good. This morning I was aware of the French guy at the turn but I told myself I had to have the better home performance. That was an awful finish though.

“With the top three out the country this meet is a real chance to break through and get myself known. I’m feeling quicker than the time I’ve just done this morning and hopefully when I race the top three in the summer I’ll post a faster time.”

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“Chris has made a huge step forward in becoming British Champion. I feel its just the start of things to come though and after just 6 months of working with him as a full-time athlete, there is so much more he can do in the sport. A second Gold in the 50m Breaststroke on Saturday would be the icing on the cake for this meet.

For the club, its a great moment and is creating new history. Credit must go to all the coaches who have contributed to his success as well as his fellow swimmers in the squad who have helped in along the way. Chris is a big team player and will be able to do lots to help inspire and mentor other talented swimmers from Swindon Dolphin. He is an extremely tough swimmer and all swimmers from the club should learn and take note from his attitude and commitment to training.It is a really huge development from a swimmer who at the age 15 was only swimming 1:09 for 100m Freestyle! This should give any swimmer the inspiration to show what can be done if you stick at it and apply yourself in the best way possible.” Andi Manley- Chief Coach, Swindon Dolphin ASC Results…Place Name YoB Club Time FINA Pt 501. Christopher JONES (81) Swindon Dolp 1:03.21 862 29.752. Julien NICOLARDOT (81) France 1:03.28 859 29.793. Christopher WATKINSON (86) Loughboro Un 1:03.64 845 29.834. Max PARTRIDGE (89) Co Sheffield 1:03.76 840 29.995. Craig ELLIOT (87) Loughboro Un 1:03.90 834 29.645. Mark STRACHAN (87) Co Coventry 1:03.90 834 30.187. Joseph GANNON (83) Co Salford 1:04.47 813 30.488. Fabien HORTH (85) France 1:04.90 797 31.03

Source: www.BritishSwimming.org