Nocher smashes Smith’s record

BELFAST’S Melanie Nocher yesterday smashed Michelle Smith’s 14-year-old Irish 200m backstroke record at the Speedo western Canadian swimming championships.

Nocher recorded a time of 2:08.52 to win the gold medal and break Smith’s record set in 1994 by over two seconds.

The 21-year-old, who is hoping to qualify for the Irish Olympic team at the European Swimming championships in Eindhoven in March, set three Irish backstroke records over the weekend at the Canadian meet.