Turner springs big shock to edge out Jackson

Rebecca Turner showed she is no respecter of reputations yesterday when she usurped Olympic and world medallists to claim a confident 200m freestyle victory and book her spot on the Olympic team.

The 19-year-old, from Sheffield, moved from fourth to first on the final length to relegate fastest qualifier and former world, European and Commonwealth medallist Caitlin McClatchey to second in a personal best well within the qualification time.

Turner’s City of Sheffield team-mate Eleanor Faulkner picked up her second bronze medal of the British Gas Swimming Championships after third in the 400m freestyle while Jo Jackson was fourth in a final missing Rebecca Adlington, who withdrew earlier in the week to concentrate on the 800m.

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Turner was fourth at last year’s British Championships and travelled to the World Championships in Shanghai as part of the freestyle relays. Although the 4x200m relay squad was sixth, the sprint relay did not advance into the final and Turner was clearly left disappointed.

Turner said: “It was very unexpected. I really came into this to get a relay spot. To get an individual spot is amazing.

“On the last turn I thought ‘go for it’.”

McClatchey had produced two consistent swims to make the final but 1:58.07 means she will have to try again at the ASA National Championships in June.

McClatchey said: “It was disappointing I did not get the individual spot but I will chase it down next time.”

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“I’m a bit disappointed I could not get qualifying but I got one of the relay spots and that was fantastic,” added Northallerton’s Jackson.

“It’s great we have younger girls coming through the relay.”

There was also disappointment for former relay world medallist Jaz Carlin who was sixth.

Joe Roebuck and Roberto Pavoni both booked their second berths on the team in the 200m butterfly.

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The pair had already made it in the 400m individual medley and last night they overtook British record holder Michael Rock on the final length.

Roebuck, from Rotherham, touched first in 1:55.94, 0.16 ahead of Pavoni with both men inside the qualifying time.

Roebuck said: “I knew it was tight.

“When I turned round and looked at the board I was a bit apprehensive.

“I knew how quick Pav would go and you can never rule a guy out like Rocky.

“There are a lot of things to do now. I’m sure my coach will let me know all the things I did wrong.”

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