Swimming: Norfolk qualifies for 200m individual medley semi

11.00pm

Helen Norfolk gave New Zealand a dose of double delight when she qualified 16th fastest for the 200m individual medley semifinals.

After narrowly missing the 400m individual medley final on the first day of competition when ninth, Norfolk this time snuck into the evening session with a personal best.

Coach Jan Cameron told NZPA Norfolk swam well in difficult conditions, with the wind that led to rowing being abandoned sweeping the pool.

"The wind is blowing a gale here, and she's a little lightweight thing who gets buffetted around," Cameron said.

"I'm pleased with that, it will improve her world ranking which was one of the aims when we came here."

Norfolk, 22, swam 2min 17.27sec for seventh in her heat, won by Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe in 2min 13.33sec.

The New Zealand record is 2min 17.00sec, set by Anna Wilson in 1996.

Relay swimmer Alison Fitch was eliminated from the 200m freestyle when fifth in her heat in 2min 3.58sec.

Fitch, a 1996 Olympian, swam to a solid lead through the opening 150m only to fold in the slog home. Her 33.01sec last 50m was the slowest of the race.

- NZPA