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BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

Records tumble in pool

Lisa Blackburn of Bermuda enters the water to help her team win a won gold in the Women's 4 x 100m Medley Relay during the NatWest Island Games earlier on she won bronze the Women's 50m Breaststroke (photo by Glenn Tucker)

Bermuda’s Island Games swimmers made a big splash in the pool on a day that saw a plethora of records tumble at the National Aquatics Centre.The Island’s women’s 200 metre freestyle relay team won the gold medal and set a new Games and national record (1:46.04) in the process.Veteran swimmer Lisa Blackburn captured bronze medals in the women’s 400 metre individual medley (5:02.40) and 50 metre breaststroke (33.05) to go along with her 200 metre freestyle relay gold medal.And for added measure Jessie Washington, Shannon Hassell and Blackburn all set national age group records.Washington swam a 28:05 in the men’s 50 metres backstroke final to establish a new boys 13-14 national record, Hassell covered the women’s 200 metres freestyle in 2:10.91 to set a new girls 13-14 national record while Blackburn’s time in the women’s 400 metres individual medley was also a new national record.“I was really pleased with the 400 IM and 50 breast,” Blackburn said. “The 400 IM I went 5:02 and broke the Bermuda national record so I’m really happy with that.“The 50 breast was within ten minutes of the 400 IM but it was still a good time about a tenth off the national record so I’m really happy with everything today.”As for Bermuda’s gold medal display in the 200 metre freestyle relay final, Blackburn added: “The girls really rose to the challenge and we came together as a team and did it.“It was a lot of fun and always great to win at home. It’s really special.”Several new Games’ records were established during the opening day of the swimming competition.Ian Black (Jersey) set a new record in the men’s 100 metres breaststroke (1:01.71), Grant Halsall (Isle of Man) set a new record in the men’s 50 metres backstroke (25:00) while Ida Sandin (Gotland) set a new record in the women’s 100 metres butterfly (1:00.31).Emily Bashforth (Jersey) set a new record in the women’s 200 metres freestyle (2:00.14), Andrea Strachan (Shetland Islands) set a new record in the women’s 50 metres breaststroke (31:36) while Guernsey set a new record in the men’s 200 metres medley relay (1:42.53).