Record-breaker Scott makes capital gains

THE diverse challenge of mastering four aquatic variations rather than singular dominance over just one will spur Duncan Scott onward, even as swimming prepares for its own competitive hiatus. But the 22-year-old underlined the immense potency of his speed and power with victory at the Edinburgh International.

The European and Commonwealth champion accelerated away from his rivals in the 100 metres freestyle final in relentless fashion. His time of 48.49 seconds left him well clear of Jack Thorpe, who saw his Scottish record over 50m wrestled away by Scott 24 hours earlier.

Yet although the double Olympic medallist is setting one freestyle mark after another, he is still determined to become an all-rounder and an individual medley maestro as well.

“The guys who are doing one event – like breaststroke – they just do one at a high level,” he said. “The detail of what they go into is incredible. I can go into detail but then I’ve got three other strokes to focus on. But in training, it’s good to have so many things to work on.”

Adam Peaty made it three wins out of three in the capital by winning the 50m breaststroke in 27.14 seconds in a knockout skins format.

“There is still a purpose in this: the front end, the stroke,” the world record holder underlined. “Sometimes you can take it a little too seriously. But skins is just training for us.”

Ross Murdoch set the second best time of 27.54 but double Olympian Craig Benson, in fourth, fears this could be his last event if – as expected – next month’s trials for Tokyo are postponed.

“It’s weird,” he admitted. “We don’t know what’s happening yet but that could be it for me. I’m finishing university and starting my career. I might try and swim on for Birmingham

Commonwealths but I don’t know how that will go.”

European short-course champion Freya Anderson swept impressively to victory in the 100m freestyle in 53.93 seconds with Kath Dawson winning the 200m backstroke in 2:10.34, almost three seconds from Honey Osrin with Katie Shanahan third.

The teen from Glasgow was also second in the 200m individual medley behind Abbie Wood.

“It’s good to be holding my own among older girls now,” said Shanahan, who is already in British Swimming’s world performance squad.