Lowndes breaks 1min. for 100 fly

Saturday 22nd May 2004, 12:00AM BST.

BEN LOWNDES swam a lifetime best in claiming a bronze medal for the 100m butterfly at the Southern Counties Championships at Crystal Palace. He qualified fourth-fastest for the final but with a time of 59.30sec. moved one place up.

It was one of three medals for the Guernsey Swimming Club’s top performer.

He also took silver in the 200 fly having led Berkhamsted’s John Wood for all but the final 20 metres, and a bronze in the 200m individual medley.

Only eighth in qualifying, his butterfly leg gave him the lead, but he lost two places in the backstroke and breaststroke before a strong 50m free gave him third place.

Christine Hume took bronze in the 200m breaststroke and fourth in the 100 race.