Katie Shanahan made two trips to the podium and Duncan Scott topped the 200IM on day one of the Glasgow International Swim Meet.
The Glasgow meet runs from 26-28 May at Tollcross International Swimming Centre and gives swimmers the chance for competition with the Fukuoka worlds two months away.
Shanahan – who won European and Commonwealth medals in 2022 – trailed Freya Colbert throughout the 200 back and was 0.38 at the final turn before a 32.38 final 50 steered her past her British teammate and into the wall in 2:11.38.
Colbert – like Shanahan a member of the British team headed to the World Championships – touched in 2:12.68 with Marie Godden of Swim Ireland next home in 2:14.08.
That followed second behind Abbie Wood in the 200IM.
Wood, who won Commonwealth bronze in Birmingham last July, was out in 28.15 and maintained her lead to reach the 150 with a 1.27sec lead over Shanahan.
She came home in 2:11.22 with the Scot second in 2:11.83 and Grace Davison claiming third in 2:17.32.
Katie Shanahan & Abbie Wood: Photo Courtesy: Morgan Harlow, British Swimming
Speaking through Scottish Swimming, Glasgow-born Shanahan said:
“That double is never easy. Me and Steve [coach Steve Tigg] have been looking at it as next year at the Olympics those events are on the same day. Obviously I need to make sure I get there first, but if I do then that’s what the schedule is likely to be. I’m just trying to practice it as much as I can before then.
“I’m happy-ish with my swims tonight. Off the back of three weeks in altitude I knew it wasn’t going to be easy this weekend, so it’s just a case of seeing where I’m at. The 200 IM was good and I knew that the 200 back would be hard, but all things considered I’m happy.”
Shanahan, alongside fellow Stirling swimmers Scott, Lucy Hope and Jack McMillan returned from altitude training at North Arizona University in Flagstaff at the end of last week.
She said:
“I had such a good three weeks. They were a lot harder than when we went in January, but it’s good to be making those small gains and that’s really setting me up in good stead for the rest of the season, having that block of work behind me.
“This is the exciting part of training now – we’ve finished our aerobic block and we can start focusing on the anaerobic side of things. I’m just really looking forward to the summer now.”
Scott Enjoys Comprehensive Glasgow Victory
Duncan Scott: Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Olympic silver medallist Scott was the only man inside 2mins in the 200IM, dominant as he won in a meet record of 1:59.08.
Joe Litchfield was next home in 2:02.92 with Evan Jones completing the Glasgow podium in 2:03.72.
Martine Damborg of Denmark won the women’s 100 fly, the 16-year-old clocking 59.21 with Ciara Schlossan overhauling Laura Stephens on the second 50 to win by 0.01 in 59.70 to 59.71.
Damborg’s fellow Dane Casper Puggaard won the men’s race in 53.37 ahead of Tom Beeley (55.20).
John Shortt – the 16-year-old set to represent Ireland in Fukuoka – won the men’s 200 back in 2:01.35 with Charlie Brown second in 2:02.50.
Jack Muncey won the 1500 free in 16:07.68.
Wilby And Hanlon Set Meet Records
James Wilby was a comprehensive winner of the 50 breaststroke in a meet record of 27.59 ahead of Archie Goodburn (28.20) as the sprint events concluding the first night of the Glasgow programme.
Kara Hanlon also set a meet mark in the women’s equivalent, winning in 31.03 ahead of Mona McSharry (31.22) and Katie Goodburn (31.99).
David Cumberlidge won the men’s 50 free in 22.65 with Medi Harris touching first in the women’s sprint free in 26.21.