After nine years of trying Karen Pickering at last dipped under the two minute mark for the 200m freestyle to erase the long standing British record, at the British Super Grand Prix at the Manchester Aquatic Centre the venue for the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

At the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia, June Croft took gold in 1:59.74 a record that has stood ever since with no other British woman has dipping under the magical two minute barrier. The nearest any one had came to that mark was Pickering herself back in 1992 when she record 2:00.33 a time equalled by Karen Legg in the morning heats.

Legg the British champion attacked the final from the start. But Pickering, a wily competitor and veteran of three Olympics used her vast experience over the second half of the race to touch home first in 1:59.65.

A delighted Pickering punched the air in delight when she saw her time on the scoreboard and admitted afterwards "I came into this meet not knowing what was going to happen but I felt good this morning and swam a lot faster than I expected."

With Legg and Nicola Jackson, also producing personal bests of 2:00.07 and 2:00.32 respectively as they placed second and third Britain's women's 4x200m freestyle looks strong for next month's World Championships.

Joanna Fargus came within one tenth of the British record when winning the 200m backstroke in 2:11.35. This was nearly half a second faster than the time she recorded to win the British title last month. Her next aim is a medal in Japan.

Runner up at the British Championships Gregor Tait went one better at the Grand Prix in the 200m backstroke. Not only did he gain victory but it was also a personal best. His time of 2:01.88 shaved 0.16sec of his two year old Scottish record.