Swimmer Gemma Atherley (pictured) set a new island record as Jersey’s impressive start in the pool continued at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
Swimming in the same 100m backstroke heat as Australian Emily Seebohm, who broke the Games record, Atherley registered a time of 1.04.75, narrowly missing out on the semi-finals and finishing 18th overall.
Booooom! Another Island Record…
Gemma claims 18th while lowering the Island record. 1.04.75 is the new backstroke benchmarkWell done Gemma
Team Tigers #GC2018 #Tigers https://t.co/EpMh4NM0u8— Calligo Tigers S.C. (@tigersswimming) April 6, 2018
The time was Atherley’s second personal best in as many days.
“Harry [Shalamon] and Gemma have really stepped up to the occasion,” said Jersey swimming coach Nathan Jegou.
“Two island records and 100 percent PB improvements in their events is all we can ask for. I’m looking forward to seeing them both go in their favoured events over the course of the next four days.”
Away from the pool it was a busy day for Jersey’s lawn bowlers. The men’s triples continued their impressive start to the tournament with a 20-10 victory over Fiji, followed by an 11-11 draw with Brunei Darussalam.
The women’s fours suffered a 21-13 loss to Norfolk Island and face South Africa later. Rachel MacDonald lost her two matches against Laura Daniel (Wales) and Amaliah Matali (Brunei Darussalam).
Meanwhile, in gymnastics Bonita Shurmer and Rachelle Flambard made their Commonwealth Games bows.
The first subdivision of women’s qualifying/team finals is complete ✅ For Jersey, Bonita Shurmer scores an all-around total of 44.150 with teammate Rachelle Flambard scoring 41.750🤸🏻♀️ pic.twitter.com/wyIIYHuH12
— British Gymnastics (@BritGymnastics) April 6, 2018