Swimming: Teen slashes 3 seconds off personal best time

Auckland teenager Lauren Boyle was chuffed with an outstanding day's work after finishing eighth in the 200m freestyle final last night, having chopped a tick over 3s off her previous best time.

Boyle arrived in Melbourne with a best of 2m 3.94s, clipped 2.83s off that in yesterday morning's heats before slicing a further .21s off last night.

"I knew I could be in for a PB. I've been feeling pretty good and in training I've done some of my best times," the long-limbed West Auckland Aquatics swimmer said.

"I just thought I'd go out and give it my best shot. I'm pretty excited."

In a race won thrillingly by Scotland's Caitlin McClatchey, who pipped favourite Australian Lisbeth Lenton at the wall in a Games record 1m 57.25s, Boyle started well, and was fifth at halfway.

But she tied up a shade in the third lap and slipped back in the run home.

Lenton, whom the Australian media have been talking up as a winner of seven gold medals during the meet, led through the first three laps but could not hold off the fast-finishing Scot.

Amid talk proclaiming the likelihood of Australians winning all 19 women's golds, the result was a choker for the host nation, and a delight for those not born in the Lucky Country.

And when another Scot, David Carry, won the second gold of the night in the 400m freestyle, it was hankie time for the raucous Australians.

Backstroker Scott Talbot-Cameron qualified eighth for tonight's 50m backstroke final.

He clocked 26.24s in his semifinal. Compatriot Cameron Gibson was 12th fastest and makes the B final.

There was more good news in the women's 50m butterfly semifinals, when Nicola Chellingworth qualified fifth for tonight's final.

Chellingworth produced two personal bests, in the morning heats and again last night when she recorded 27.22s in finishing third. She swam alongside fellow New Zealanders Liz Coster - the national recordholder who was expected to be the pick of the three - and Georgina Toomey. Chellingworth reckons she might have a bit left for the final.

Helen Norfolk was rated a medal chance in the 200m individual medley final, but was always off the pace in a race dominated by the Australians, Stephanie Rice winning in a Games record 2m 12.90s from Brooke Hanson and Lara Carroll.

Norfolk swam 2m 16.49s, .78s off her personal best.