Thorpedo is on course for gold with record

IAN THORPE launched his bid for seven Commonwealth Games gold medals by smashing the world 400m freestyle record at the Aquatics Centre in Manchester last night.

The 'Thorpedo' broke his own mark by 0.11 seconds, coming home in three minutes 40.08secs in an event where he has not been beaten since 1998.

Thorpe's easy strokes once again proved too much for team-mate Grant Hackett, who actually led after 100m and kept within half a body length of his phenomenal rival until he finally surged away midway down the sixth length.