Commonwealth Games: Kiwi swimmers to contend for medals after qualifiers

New Zealand swimmers have made a flying begin within the pool on the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, placing themselves in rivalry for medals on opening day.

Erika Fairweather posted the quickest time of the 400 metre freestyle heats, qualifying first in a time of 4 minutes 6.42 seconds, with team-mate Caitlin Deans qualifying third in the identical race on Friday (NZT).

The Kiwi pair had been separated by Australian Amelia Weber in second.

Fairweather would look to go one higher at Glasgow after narrowly lacking the rostrum within the 400 metre freestyle ultimate at Birmingham.

Eve Thomas additionally positioned third in her warmth for a similar occasion, behind Australian pair Lani Pallister and Jenna Forrester.

The trio of New Zealand girls would face off within the 400 metre freestyle ultimate because of occur about 6.05am Saturday morning (NZT).

Meanwhile, Lewis Clareburt, who clinched double gold and bronze at Birmingham in 2022, certified second within the 200 metre particular person medley, behind Englishman Thomas Dean.

Clareburt’s qualifying time was 1.2 seconds shy of his bronze-medal efficiency at Birmingham.

The 27-year-old would vie for a fifth Commonwealth Games medal within the 200 metre medley ultimate about 6.15am Saturday (NZT).

Hazel Ouwehand additionally booked a ultimate berth ending second in a tightly-contested 50 metre butterfly warmth.

The 26-year-old’s time of 26.4 seconds was 0.16 seconds behind Jessica Thompson, of South Africa.

Zoe Pedersen additionally completed second in her 50 metre butterfly warmth, finishing the swim in 26.6 seconds, 1.05 seconds behind Australian Alex Perkins.

Ouwehand and Pedersen shall be concerned within the 50 metre butterfly semi-final about 7.10am Saturday NZT.