SWIMMING: Emotional Carlin back with a bang (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

SWIMMING: Emotional Carlin back with a bang

9:30am Friday 8th March 2013 in Sport

JAZZ Carlin announced her return to long course swimming in explosive fashion as she stormed to the 800m freestyle title at the British Gas International Meet yesterday evening.

Former Wootton Bassett School pupil Carlin, whose hopes of qualifying for London 2012 were left in tatters by illness, had not raced a long course meet since ASA Nationals in June last year.

But the double Commonwealth medallist tore away from Ellie Faulkner to record a time of 8:24.42, which beat her own Welsh record and saw her triumph by seven seconds.

Carlin had a tear in her eye after touching the wall first and was overcome at the result.

“It just feels so emotional because it’s been a complete rollercoaster and I’m really happy to come out of it now,” said Carlin.

“I was really nervous beforehand because I hadn’t raced long course for about nine months.

“Hopefully come June (at the British Championships and World Championship trials) I’ll be ready to go.

“I want to thank my coach (Bud McAllister) because we’ve worked through it together and I’ve come out better.”

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