Swimming: Kent nails double for family

SYDNEY - Dean Kent felt his late father was smiling down on him as he completed the 200m/400m individual medley double at the Fina World Cup short-course swim meet in Sydney at the weekend.

Still coming to terms with the sudden death of Paul Kent in August, the North Shore 27-year-old described his twin victories as among the most poignant of his long career.

"It means a little bit more having mum and [Kent's partner] Miranda here - and my little brother Steve," Kent said after pocketing US$3000 ($4366) for his weekend's work at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

"It's a good feeling to maybe brighten mum's day. Maybe the big fella is looking down and cracking a smile as well," said Kent, who enjoyed getting one over Australian rival Adam Lucas, who finished third in the 200m.

Kent was third after the opening butterfly leg and improved a place after the backstroke, before forging a handy buffer on breaststroke, his strongest discipline.

He carried a one-second advantage into the freestyle dash home, clocking 1m 56.84s, "not far off a personal best".

Brazilian Lucas Salatta recorded 1m 58.12s for second, a fingertip ahead of Lucas (1m 58.13s).

Apart from pleasing his loved ones, Kent cheekily said he took pleasure in stealing some of Australia's thunder.

"When you get here you hear the Kiwi jokes so it's nice to get something back in the pool.

"It's always a pleasure to be a thorn in the side of you guys," he told an appreciative crowd.

New Zealand swimming team coach Jan Cameron believed the squad were looking good for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games after a successful campaign.

"We've had some very fierce competition and that's what we wanted."

Helen Norfolk set a national record in the 400m individual medley (4m 35.34s) despite finishing sixth in the 100m individual medley (1m 02.99s) later in the programme.

"It's the first time I've been in the water since my knee operation [in September]. I'm really happy with that," she said.

The knee problem surfaced in May and has affected her backstroke kick but Norfolk believes the problem "is finally coming right".

Norfolk, like the rest of the elite New Zealand squad, expected further improvements as she peaks for Melbourne.

"I'm still in pretty heavy training and I haven't done much speed work."

Fellow double Olympian Alison Fitch also broke the New Zealand record for the short-course 100m freestyle when finishing fifth (54.50s) behind new Commonwealth record-holder Libby Lenton, who scorched home in 52.17s.

Moss Burmester produced a personal best in the 100m butterfly (52.26s) when finishing fifth in his final.

Meanwhile, Cameron said an Achilles injury for leading swimmer Hannah McLean during the warm-up on Saturday night - ruling her out of two backstroke finals - was not considered serious and she would take part in the Commonwealth Games selection trials at Waitakere on December 6-10.

"We were advised by the physio to rest her," Cameron said. "We were fortunate to see her swim the heats on day one so we know she's on track.

"She's already getting better. She had a light swim [yesterday afternoon]."

- NZPA