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STOCKPORT'S Sarah Bailey came within eight hundredths of her ownworld record in the Womens SlO lOOm backstroke in the BT supported Paralympic Swimming Trials that are running alongside the Olympic trials at Ponds Forge In Sheffield today (Thursday).
The 18-year-old Stockport lifeguard, who currently holds six world records romped in over 11 seconds ahead of Rachelle Peachey from Chatteris and though the final team will not be announced until April 30th, is assured, barring injury. of being selected for the Paralympics in Atlanta this August.
Bailey claimed two golds at the 1992 Paralympics in Barcelona, three at the World championships in Malta and four at the European Championships in Perpignan last September.
And her dominance internationally of 510 events seems certain to be mirrored in the future by 14-year-old Emily Jennings of Melton Mowbray in the 59 class. The youngster continued her prolific run of form with a win in the loom backstroke, eclipsing Denham's Clare Bishop who dominated at the distance as little as six months ago.
Covent Garden's Marc Woods produced an outstanding result despite tying up in the closing stages to comfortably outsprint Jody Cundy in the Mens 510 lOOm freestyle.
As expected, Chris Holmes cruised home over six seconds inside the qualifying standard in the 133 lOOm freestyle in clocking 59.44.
It is the first time in history that able bodied and disabled athletes have competed alongside each other under the same conditions, at the same venue and over the same dates, in any sport worldwide.
