Spofforth sets sights on world record

Gemma Spofforth has the 100metres backstroke world record in her sights after coming within 0.01 seconds of Kirsty Coventry's mark at the World Championships in Rome.

The 21-year-old was fastest through to tonight's semi-finals after touching in 58.78seconds, just outside the mark Coventry set last year in Beijing.

It saw Spofforth lower her own European record by 0.27seconds, setting a new championship record in the process, and meant a Speedo-clad swimmer prevailed against a sea of Jaked, Arena and Adidas suits.

"I still can't quite believe it. It was a minute or so before I realised it was a 58 and not a 59. When I looked up I thought it was a 59.78 not a 58.78. It felt really smooth, not rushed," said Spofforth, fourth in the Olympics. "I am not hedging my bets for tonight but I would like to go faster."

Lizzie Simmonds, who happily admits she focuses more over 200m backstroke, was eighth fastest through in one minute 00.04 seconds, a new personal best.

Six world records fell last night and this morning's session showed no signs of slowing down. Belinda Hocking finished one place outside qualification for the semis in the backstroke today but her time would have been enough for the Australian to have easily claimed bronze in 2001 and was just 0.66secs outside the winning time four years ago.

Liam Tancock lowered his own British time in the men's race to qualify third fastest for the last 16 as Aschwin Wildeboer set a new championship record.

The Loughborough swimmer, the owner of three world medals, was second in his heat behind Ryosuke Irie in 53.08.

Marco Loughran was seventh in the same heat in 54.61 and failed to qualify, finishing 24th overall.

Wildeboer, holder of the world record for a matter of days before it was reclaimed by Aaron Peirsol, was fastest in a championship record of 52.93.