Swimming: Baker in record form

Christchurch swimmer Zoe Baker has broken two New Zealand records within 24 hours.

She unofficially broke her own New Zealand 50m breaststroke record at the Auckland Open championships on Wednesday when recording a time of 32.12 seconds in her heat.

She bettered that with a 31.84sec swim later in the same session.

In last night's final Baker again swam 32.12sec to win the gold medal.

Auckland Swimming has applied to Swimming New Zealand to have the times ratified as New Zealand records.

Baker, 27, hold the world record for the discipline and plans to swim for New Zealand as soon as possible.

She believes she may represent New Zealand as soon as next month.

"I'm hoping to swim for New Zealand at the European World Cup in Berlin next month," she said.

"I won't be swimming for anyone else.

"I've literally called New Zealand home since 1999."

Baker won a gold medal for Great Britain at the Commonwealth Games."

Helen Norfolk, of the North Shore club, who won the 200m freestyle ahead of fellow Olympian Alison Fitch yesterday.

Norfolk also won the 400m medley with Carmen Ooi, 14, of the Waterhole club, ahead of another Aucklander, Rebecca Clarke.

North Shore's Hannah McLean won the 100m backstroke in a time of one minute 22.71 seconds, ahead of clubmates Elizabeth Coster and Melissa Ingram.

Dean Kent predictably won the 400m medley ahead of Daniel Ryan and Zane Moser.

- NZPA