Proud and Peaty fast on day 2 of British Gas International, Simmonds nips Davies in 100 back

The second finals session of the British Gas International Meet saw some quick times from two of Britain’s rising male stars, Adam Peaty and Ben Proud, plus an entertaining 100 back race between Lizzie Simmonds and Georgia Davies.

The 20-year-old Peaty, coming off a strong run of races on the Mare Nostrum circuit and a win on day 1 of the International, blasted to the 100 breaststroke win in 1:00.28. Though a full second off his season-best (ranked #2 in the world), Peaty still had enough to blow out 200 breast star Michael Jamieson by over a second. Jamieson was 1:01.34.

Proud, also 20, knocked on the door of a 21-second 50 freestyle but came up just short of the barrier at 22.14. Still, he won the event by just over a half-second and appears to be finding some solid mid-season speed for the Brits.

One of the more entertaining races was the women’s 100 back, where Lizzie Simmonds got some revenge on Georgia Davies. Davies won the 50 on night 1, but Simmonds struck back in the 100-meter distance, going 1:01.01 to hold off a late charge from her surging opponent. Simmonds led by over two seconds at the 50, but Davies started to reel her in over the back half. Still, though, Simmonds found a way to get her hand on the wall first, with Davies taking second in 1:01.69. Jessica Fullalove, who actually sat second at the 50 while pushing Simmonds, wound up third in 1:01.88.

Another nailbiter came in the women’s 50 fly, with the top two separated by just .05. 20-year-old Rachael Kelly topped her 27-year-old Longboro teammate Amy Smith 26.80 to 26.85.

Stephen Milne got his second distance freestyle win, taking the 1500 a day after winning the 400. His 15:19.12 paced the field by a solid four seconds.

Another repeat winner was Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, who won the 200 free in 1:57.28. She doubled up on day 1, winning the 100 free and 200 IM.

Full results are available here. The meet continues through Saturday morning, with prelims sessions each night and the corresponding finals the following morning.