Caradon Swimming Club’s Ed Gilbertson (pictured) at the start of his 50m backstroke heat swim at the inaugural ASA National Winter Meet at Ponds Forge, Sheffield.

In a momentous swim Ed won his heat a long way clear of the field – no small achievement at national level. Ed touched home in 25.73 seconds lowering his own personal best time by 1.03 seconds – a huge reduction in any 50m race.

Ed was already the holder of the club short course record and the Cornwall county short course record in this event, but his new time sets an impressive standard which might be on the books for some years to come.

Qualifying for the B final, Ed produced another strong swim to finish ninth in 25.93 seconds.