Ellie Faulkner swims new PB for 400m Freestyle gold

City of Sheffield swimmer Ellie Faulkner won gold in the women’s 400m Freestyle on the final day of the Swim England National Winter Championships 2017.

The 24-year-old was pushed hard by Stockport Metro and current British champion Holly Hibbott.

Faulkner touched in 4:06.90, shaving 0.3 seconds from her personal best time, set at the Olympic Trials in 2012.

Faulkner commented: “I’m pretty shocked again. I’m swimming PBs at this time in the season when we’re not used to doing it, especially as we’re only partially tapered.

“I can’t wait to get out to the Gold Coast because, fully-tapered, who knows what could happen?”

Hibbott was seven seconds quicker than her qualifying time, taking silver in 4:07.20.

Alice Dearing of Loughborough swam a great race for bronze. The 20-year-old is usually found competing for medals in open water, but touched in 4:13.77 for third place.

Greenbank completes backstroke double

Luke Greenbank finished off the backstroke double, winning 200m Back gold to add to his earlier victory in the 100m.

Greenbank and Dan Cross, both of Loughborough Uni, swam great races, both beating 1:59 on the clock.

Greenbank, who has already been selected for the Gold Coast 2018 team for 200m Back, ultimately took the title in a time of 1:58.32, while Cross took silver in 1:58.98.

Greenbank said: “I’m really pleased with that. I didn’t come in with any expectations, I just wanted to swim my own race and put a good time down for this time of the year.

“I’m really happy with how this year has gone. I just need to push on now.”

The final spot on the podium went to 18-year-old Brodie Williams. The Millfield swimmer swam a new personal best time of 1:59.29 for bronze.

• Click here to see full results from the Swim England National Winter Championships 2017.