Lewis Smith (Warrender) was the only Scottish medallist on the opening day of the British Gas National Championships with a silver behind David Davies in the final of the 400m freestyle at the Ponds Forge Pool in Sheffield. 

The Welshman qualified for the world championships in Rome this summer when he broke Scot David Carry’s GB record by almost two seconds with a time of 3:45.24, while 20-year-old Smith was second in 3:50.25. City of Glasgow’s Robbie Renwick was fifth in 3:52.39.  

In the 200m individual medley, Garioch’s Hannah Miley, the Olympic finalist in the 400m event, took a major step towards the world championships with a great semi-final victory in 2:12.21. She will be in pole position in the final. 

“I felt really good,” said Miley. “I glided into a couple of turns so hopefully I can go even quicker tomorrow and get close to the 2:10 mark and maybe beat my British record.”   

A couple of swimmers from the new Edinburgh University programme set-up by coach Chris Jones made it into today’s finals. Louise Pate qualified in sixth place in the 100m butterfly with a semi-final time of 1:01.29, while Iain MacMillan was seventh in the 200m butterfly in 2:01.19. 

Craig Houston (Stirling Swim) qualified in fifth place in the 50m freestyle sprint in 23.14

But the first day belonged to Loughborough’s Jo Jackson, who claimed a world record and scored a shock victory over Olympic superstar Rebecca Adlington. 

Jackson, the Olympic bronze medallist, held off her great rival with a terrific world record of 4.00.66, with Adlington, Olympic champion in the 400m and 800m freestyle, just a fraction behind in 4.00.89.  The previous world record was 4:01.53 and held by Italy’s Federica Pellegrini.

With only the winner qualifying for the world championships in Rome, Adlington immediately confirmed that she will be travelling to Glasgow in June for the Scottish Championships that double up as the final world trials. Jackson also stated that she will be at Tollcross Leisure Centre and attempting to qualify for Rome in the 800m freestyle.

“I’ve never even held a British record,” said a delighted 23-year-old Jackson. “To get the world record and beat Becky has completely blown me away. Since the Olympics, I’ve been training with (Scotland’s) Caitlin McClatchey at Loughborough, and that has really helped me.”

Adlington admitted she had been under a lot of pressure since being thrust into the limelight in Beijing last August. “I’m just a 20-year-old girl and nothing can really prepare you for all the attention and expectations,” said the Nova Centurion swimmer. “But I think my time today has proved I’m coping quite well. Now I’ll just look forward to the Scottish Championships and, hopefully, qualifying for Rome.”