Mike Van Der Zanden (NDR)

“That was quite a surprising swim. I've only been training for a few months now, I took a break after Beijing and so it's absolutely fantastic.

“I changed coached and I have a new environment now so training is going pretty well. Tomorrow we'll see what happens. I'm competing in my main event so hopefully with a bit of luck I'll do what I just did tomorrow as well.”


Ellie Cole (AUS)

“That swim was pretty horrible actually. I don't really know what happened it was just altogether pretty bad. Hopefully tomorrow's BT Paralympic World Cup race will be a much better one for me. I'm really at a loss, maybe it was jet lag, I don't know. I did get here three days ago and I've been working on British time whilst out in Australia but it's just one of those days.

“I've had a blast being in Manchester over the last few days. I love coming to these overseas events with my team. It's hard work but great fun. I came here a couple of years ago so hopefully this time I can return with a medal.”

Jessica Long (USA)

“It feels good to get back into competition. I mean I don't feel like I'm at all where I should be, I feel good but you know I've got a lot left. I have to get me head down for the Worlds trials which are coming up soon in July.

“I'll be honest and say that my training in particular has been lacking a bit of motivation, but I feel strong so everything is going in the right direction. Tomorrow I'm looking to get a closer on my times and then I'll be happy. I enjoy the event here in Manchester and it is at the top of my meets so I always train and do as much as I can to swim to my best on race day.””


Michael Ardern (NZL)

“It is a good feeling to get another Oceanic record. I got one earlier but this one was pretty tough. It is hard to say if I have another record in me but I will no doubt try my hardest.

“I'm looking forward to competing again and I am definitely going to give it my best shot to win as much as I can.

“The whole tournament is awesome, I love it. I was in Sheffield last year and that was great but this event is just as good if not better.”


Natalie Jones (GBR)

“Today's race for me was really good. I was at Sheffield last week and I did it in 14.6 and today I did it 14.7 so it was another good time. I was going for the world record but I think I lost it towards the end of the race. I definitely have another world record in me, it is not hard. I have proved that I can do it. I have the European record so have shown I am capable of doing it.

“I set that European record last week, this race wasn't as fast but I got pretty close it so I am dead chuffed. I just want to see what Miranda Uhl will get as she is up next and she has the world record. I wouldn't say that Miranda and I were big rivals because I barely speak to her. But there is that rival aspect to us because our times are always similar and competing against each other. I have a friendly rivalry with Ellie Simmonds as she does the medley as well.

“Manchester is great for me because it is my home pool. The venue is lovely and the event as a whole is really good.”