Swimming: Norfolk gives world-class performance

Canterbury's Helen Norfolk made a welcome return to form with a world-class show on the opening night's finals at the New Zealand winter championships in Hamilton.

Norfolk, who missed selection for the Commonwealth Games, produced an inspired performance to edge out Manchester silver medallist Liz Van Welie of Otago and win the 400m individual medley at the Te Rapa pool.

The South Island pair provided the highlight, with the lead changing four times before Norfolk edged Van Welie by 0.05s. Van Welie led by nearly 2s after the butterfly leg, with Norfolk fighting back to open a similar margin following the backstroke.

The Otago swimmer recovered with a strong breaststroke to lead by 1.7s going into the freestyle. Norfolk dug deep with a 1min 02.74s split for the 100m freestyle to clock 4min 42.69s, with Van Welie recording 4min 42.74s.

"It was a superb race and a fine performance from Helen in particular," said national director of coaching Clive Rushton.

"Helen has been a bit in the doldrums for a few months but has really bounced back well tonight. It was not only a fine race but in a world-class time."

North Shore's Hannah McLean showed outstanding form to produce a superb performance in the semifinals of the 100m backstroke. She was just 0.02s outside Anna Simcic's short course national record in the 100m backstroke, topping qualifiers in 1min 01.10s, two seconds ahead of her Manchester teammate and North Shore clubmate Melissa Ingram.

Van Welie also had to settle for second in the 200m butterfly final, won by visiting New South Wales swimmer Lara Davenport in the only other final on the first night of the championships.

- NZPA