For the first time ever in British swimming, sprinters will be challenged over seven rounds of 50 metre swims at the British Super Grand Prix in Manchester this weekend in a test of mental toughness to decide an overall ‘skins' winner. The skins format, which originates from Australia, will see a competitor eliminated after each round until there are just two swimmers left going head to head for victory.

National Performance Director Bill Sweetenham, who was recruited to British swimming from Australia last year, feels that this is exactly the type of competition our swimmers need in order to toughen up and take on the rest of the world.

"The idea is you only have to win one race, but you can't loose any. Provided the swimmers haven't rested before this meet it will be a celebration of mental courage rather than talent or fitness. It won't be the fastest swimmer who wins, it'll be the swimmer who can recover between races the fastest."

As well as becoming the first