Jo Jackson was the fastest qualifier for the 200metres freestyle final at the British Gas ASA National Championships in Sheffield.
Olympic medallist on course to secure spot at World Championships
Jo Jackson was the fastest qualifier for the 200metres freestyle final at the British Gas ASA National Championships in Sheffield.
The Olympic bronze medallist stepped up her bid to qualify for July's World Championships in Shanghai by swimming her heat in a time of 1 minute 59.67 seconds.
She won two world silvers and one bronze in Rome two years ago but has struggled with asthma and illness over the past 18 months.
Jackson failed to gain a place on the Great Britain team for Shanghai at the first trials in Manchester earlier in the year in either an individual event or for a relay.
But she is experiencing an improvement in form after switching coaches to Ben Titley and was in a more positive mood as she eased into the final at Ponds Forge.
Qualifiers
Rebecca Turner (2:00.08) and former double Commonwealth champion Caitlin McClatchey (2:00.16) were second and third fastest respectively.
Double Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington also qualified, although she will not race the final as she already has a place for China secured, while European 400m individual medley champion Hannah Miley also went safely through.
World record holder Liam Tancock was fastest into the 50m backstroke final, recording a time of 25.07 as he continues his preparations to retain the world title he won in Rome.
Lizzie Simmonds, another big name who did not manage to qualify in Manchester, set a time of 1:00.63 in the backstroke heats.
Fran Halsall and Jemma Lowe are set to fight it out for the one remaining spot in the 100m butterfly, with both impressing in the heats on Tuesday morning.
