Melissa Corfe and Tamaryn Laubscher got the Telkom South African Short Course Championships underway in record style at the Strand Municipal Swimming Pool on Thursday.

First it was the unassuming Laubscher who smashed a six-year-old record in the 400 IM. Always in contention from the gun, a massive effort in the breaststroke leg saw her take the lead and establish a new continental mark of 4:44.31, shaving ,38 off Mandy Loots' 1998 time of 4:44.69.

Teammate Bianca Meyer from Tuks did well to collect the silver in a time of 4:47.06 while Kathryn Meaklim from Kloof posted a time of 4:51.55 edging out the promising Christy Lategan who recorded a time of 4:51.56.

Later in the evening it was the turn of Melissa Corfe from Mr. Price Seagulls, who despite the close attentions of the promising youngster, Wendy Trott for most of the race, smashed the continental mark in the 1500m freestyle with a staunch effort of 16:16.56. Her time bettered the previous mark set by Marizane Grundling in 2003 of 16:32.56 by almost 16 seconds.

The 14-year-old Trott who swims for Vineyards did well to finish in a time of 17:02.43 to secure the silver while Alison Jane Logan from Kloof claimed the bronze in 17:21.53 to head the chasing pack.

Despite the absence of three of Olympians, Roland Schoeman, Lynden Ferns and Gerhard Zandberg, the ever-popular stalwart Ryk Neethling and the unassuming Darian Townsend certainly proved to be favorites amongst the fans that turned out to see some scintillating swimming. Despite both swimmers only swimming their first events on Friday, their presence was appreciated by adoring fans seeking an autograph or just a word from the Olympic Champions

The first event of the evening was the ladies 200m butterfly. The absence of the Gauteng Flyer, Mandy Loots and her prodigy Lisa-Marie Retief saw a young field assemble to do battle for the vacant crown.

In a well judged race it was 15 year old Chanelle van Wyk from Vineyard, who claimed her first national senior title in a time of 2:15.09 ahead of 14 year old Christy Lategan from Klerksdorp Stingrays who looked impressive in posting a 2:15.20. Bianca Meyer who set the early pace did enough to claim the bronze in 2:15.65 while her Tuks teammate, 14 year old Keri Shaw should be happy with her effort of 2:15.94.

Despite the absence of some of the more illustrious swimmers, the result augers well for the future of female 200m butterfly swimmers in this country as the event was the most closely contested that this correspondent has witnessed for years.

The men's 200m freestyle followed and again we saw the emergence of an unfamiliar name on the podium. Jasper Venter looked solid in his effort in claiming his first national senior title.

The 16 year old from Klerksdorp Stingrays dominated proceedings from the onset and claimed the title in a time of 1:51.73 well ahead of Chris King (Cape Dolphins) who put up a brave performance in posting a 1:52.69 to claim silver. Eugene Hulley showed good form to claim the bronze in a time of 1:52.71 to ensure that he joined his teammate Venter on the podium.

The ladies 100m freestyle semis saw Lauren Roets continue her good form when she dominated the field from the gun to head the field in a time of 56.23. The 16 year old from Dolphins in Johannesburg was never challenged and unless someone produces an extraordinary swim on Friday evening, she looks set to retain her title.

The battle for the minor seedings proved to be an exciting tussle. Leonie Vorster from Polokwane headed the bunch in time of 57.57 with a fast finishing Melanie Greyling from Westville next in a time of 57.65.

A special mention should go to backstroke specialist Romy Altmannfrom Vineyards who looked impressive with her effort of 57.74 while Suzaan van Biljon can be happy with her day at the office. The Tuks swimmer posted a credible 57.91.

The final is sure to be a cracker-jack affair.

The men's 100m butterfly saw George du Rand from SuperSport Seals claim the top seed comfortably in a time of 53.95 with David van der Bjil of Mustangs heading the pack in a time of 55.98.

Other likely contender will come from Warren Thompson (Mustangs) who looked comfortable in a time of 56.18 while the explosive Stephan Ackermann (Tuks) can never be underestimated. Ackermann seemed to be swimming well within himself posting a 56.37.

The men's 400 Individual Medley saw Neil Versveld from Seals take gold in a time of 4:22.44 ahead of Troyden Prinsloo (Kloof) and Byron de Waal (Mr. Price Seagulls)

Prinsloo looked in good form in recording a time of 4:23.28 while de Waal was overjoyed with his effort of 4:26.94 and his first senior national medal.

The ladies 100m backstroke is sure to be on of the highlight event of Friday's finals. Charlene Wittstock, now swimming for Tuks, showed a welcome return to form, her effort of 1:01.62 setting her apart from the pack who were headed by Melissa Corfe (1:03.15) and Romy Altmann (Maties) who recorded a time of 1:04.17. the medals are sure to be contested by this trio.

The men's 400m freestyle relay saw the unfancied squad of Maties claimed a surprise gold when they posted a time of 3:26.24 leaving all the pretenders in their wake. Tuks won the silver after posting a time of 3:29.26, edging out Mustangs who recorded a time of 3:29.63.

The final event of the evening was the ladies 800m freestyle relay. What a pity this match played out to an empting complex. It was Tuks who looped over six seconds off the continental mark when the claimed gold in a time of 8:22.63 well ahead of Mr. Price Seagulls (8:37.12) and Vineyards (8:42.03).