Hutchison claims surprise gold while Scott settles for silver
Six-time Olympic gold medalist Scott was involved in the tightest final of the competition, with all three medalists separating by just three-hundredths of a second in the 100m freestyle final.
The 25-year-old is a former Commonwealth Games champion at the event, but after a somewhat slow start, Scott reached half-time in fifth place.
However, as is his trademark, he came through incredibly strong in the last 50m and touched the wall second in 48.00 seconds, just a hundredth behind winner Lewis Burras.
With that July meeting also acting as a test for the World Championships in Japan, Scott also immersed himself in the time limit for the GB team and, despite missing out on the gold, said he was pleased with his performance.
“That’s what I love – when it’s really close,” said the University of Stirling swimmer. “It doesn’t matter what shape I’m in or how my preparation was, I’m just here to compete and I think in situations like that I do really well, so I’m really happy with that.
“This season I’ve been around the store a bit in terms of time, so being able to put it together like this gives me confidence for the rest of the week.”
Scott admitted he was aware of how tight the field was in the final stages, but experience has taught him not to let his opponents distract him.
“Towards the end of the race it makes no sense to pay attention to what other people are doing. The last 25m is about concentrating on your own shots. I knew it was going to be tight, but Lewis [Burras] is quite a big guy, so I’d have to be pretty far in front of him to get the touch.
“The 100 Free is more low key than other events and I think that really benefits me as I get through the field.”
In the 400m individual medley, Hutchison of Dumfries and Galloway made a strong start and after taking an early lead in the backstroke he never looked in danger of losing first place, winning gold and his first ever British title in 4m17.89s , more than a second clear of Welshman William Ryley in second place, while Hutchison’s compatriot Mark Szaranek won the bronze.
Keanna McInnes also put in an impressive performance to win bronze in the 200m butterfly, setting a new personal best and breaking the Scottish record in the process.
The University of Stirling swimmer finished third to Loughborough’s Laura Stephens in 2 minutes 8.05 seconds and admitted she was both happy and disappointed with her swim after missing the time limit for the World Championships by just 14-hundredths of a second .
“There are mixed feelings. It’s a Scottish record, a huge PB and I put the race together quite well so I really couldn’t ask for more,” said the 21-year-old before looking forward to Sunday’s 100m butterfly. I think the 200m swim has been positive and my 100m has been really good all season so I definitely think there will be a little drop in this race.”
In action today is Katie Shanahan, hot favorite for gold in the 200m backstroke, while Lucy Hope in the 100m freestyle is looking to add another medal to her bronze medal in the 200m freestyle. In the 200m breaststroke, George Smith attempts to win his first medal of the competition.
