Sinead Russell lowers Canadian 100 backstroke record again in Shanghai

SHANGHAI -- Sinead Russell of Oakville, Ont., lowered her Canadian record for the second time Monday and Jillian Tyler of Calgary also advanced to a final in swimming action at the FINA World Aquatic Championships.

In the women's 100 backstroke semifinal, Russell clocked 59.68 seconds for the fifth fastest qualifying time for Tuesday's final but only 0.3 seconds off the best time posted by American star Nathalie Coughlin.

That bettered her Canadian record of 59.80 set in the morning preliminaries in which she was ranked second. The top-eight times in the semis advanced to the final.

''I'm really happy about the record,'' said Russell, 18. ''I just wanted to go race my heat, I didn't expect to beat the time again. The key is to work on me and not everyone else around me. My goal in the final is to make top-five which would pre qualify me for the Olympics.''

Julia Wilkinson of Stratford, Ont., was 13th.

Then only 20 minutes later, Wilkinson took eighth spot in the 200 IM final.

''It was tough doing back to back races,'' said Wilkinson, 24. ''I had no warm down but I got great help by our trainers. Still it was an opportunity to see if I could do both these races at the Olympics because at the Games they will be back to back again. It's bad luck with the scheduling because they are my best two events but I'm not the only one in that situation.''

Lafontaine praised Wilkinson as one of the key leaders on the team.

''Our women's team is really gelling together and that's thanks to veterans like Julia and Annamay Pierse. They are great leaders and the youngsters really look up to them. They've really instilled that professional approach to the sport.''

In the women's 100 breaststroke semis, Tyler bettered her personal best time to 1:07.28 to rank sixth Tuesday's final. Rebbeca Soni of the U.S., ranked first at 1:04.91.

''I can't complain with a best time,'' said Tyler. ''But I would really like to get under that 1:07 mark. That will be the goal for tomorrow (Tuesday). Still I got the nerves out of the way and accomplished what I wanted. Being beside Rebecca didn't affect my race strategy that much but you have to be aware of how fast she goes out.''

Competition continues Tuesday featuring Russell, Tyler and Olympic medallist Ryan Cochrane of Victoria in the 800 freestyle.

Scott Dickens of Vancouver will race the 50 breaststroke and the men's 200 butterfly will see Stefan Hirniak. On the women's side, Barbara Jardin of Montreal and Samatha Chevreton of Pointe-Claire will swim the 200 freestyle prelims.

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