New world best for Corben as Fareham shine

Jo Corben claimed a new world record as Fareham Nomads Masters took the British Championships by storm.
Noemie Peignon, Jo Corben, John Molyneaux, Laura Molyneaux and Claire TaggNoemie Peignon, Jo Corben, John Molyneaux, Laura Molyneaux and Claire Tagg
Noemie Peignon, Jo Corben, John Molyneaux, Laura Molyneaux and Claire Tagg

Corben was joined by the club’s assistant coach John Molyneaux, Laura Molyneaux, Noemie Peignon and Claire Tagg at the long course competition in Sheffield.

None disappointed, with many personal best times between them and 13 medals comprising of eight gold, two silver and three bronze.

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But it was Corben who stood out, smashing the world record in the 200m backstroke in a time of 2min 24.97sec – some 20 seconds faster than her nearest competitor in the 45-49 year-old age-group, and the fastest time recorded across all age groups.

Corben sent out a strong message to her competitors that she was once again in great shape, recording 1.08.28 in the 100m backstroke.

The time was a new British and european best but just shy of the world record.

Her time was also the fastest of all competitors aged from 18 years and older.

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Corben also picked up gold in the 50m backstroke with a time of 33.01 to break her own British record.

She said: ‘Nomads had a fantastic weekend.

I am delighted with my 100 and 200 swims and I’m now really looking forward to the next seven weeks of training before going to London to compete in the European Masters Championships.’

Head coach Stewart Crowe said: ‘The Fareham Nomads Masters team put in an impressive performance to claim their brilliant medal tally.

‘They are on top form and will now put in another cycle of hard work leading up to the European Masters Championships in May.’

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Not to be outdone in the medal stakes, John Molyneaux won gold in the 100m backstroke, recording 59.78 in the 25-29 years age-group – the only swimmer at the championships to go the magic sub-60 seconds.

He also impressed by winning gold in the 200m individual medley (2.16.39), as well as victory in the 200m backstroke (2.12.20).

Adding to his medal haul, Molyneaux also took gold in the 50m backstroke (27.88).

Up next came Laura Molyneaux. Since returning to the sport just more than two years ago, she has now stepped up several gears and swam her fastest 200 individual medley since her comeback by recording 2.32.47 to win bronze.

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Team-mate Peignon, swimming in the 30-34 years age-group, also claimed a bronze medal in the 50m butterfly (31.05).

Adding to that, Peignon then achieved silver in the 100m butterfly event in a time of 1.09.52.

Tagg (45-49 years) competed in the 200m breaststroke and placed sixth (3.17.11).

She also achieved 11th in the 100m breaststroke in a time of 1.33.79.

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Corben, Tagg, Peignon and Molyneaux won gold in the 4x50m medley relay in a time of 2.16.40 – standing them in good stead for the European Master Championships.

To round off a fine performance, which saw the five swimmers place 31st overall from 228 clubs, Peignon swam to a life-time best in the 200m butterfly, recording 2.36.71 to achieve silver. Team-mate Laura Molyneaux clinched bronze in a Masters PB time of 2.38.36.

Tony Corben was unable to compete due to illness but proudly supported the team from the poolside.

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