Bermuda swimmer Kiera Aitken set a new national record at the Spanish National Swimming Championships where she claimed silver in the 50-metres backstroke.

Aitken finished the 200m freestyle on Monday in a time of two minutes and two seconds, breaking her previous record of 2:03.48 which she set last year.

Her time in the 50m backstroke was 28.41 and she also came fifth in the 100m backstroke.

Bermuda's national swimming coach, Ben Smith, said: “Kiera continues to perform at a high level while training hard in Barcelona Spain.

“At the Spanish Nationals over the weekend Kiera won a silver medal in the 50m backstroke and finished 5th in the 100m backstroke.

“Even though the backstroke is where she has made her mark she continues to show her strength in all events.

“Kiera went an impressive 2:02 in the 200m free taking a second off her own national record.”

Last month the Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association (BASA) held their first annual Swimathon to raise funds to refurbish the BASA facility with things such as pool resurfacing, shade covers and starting blocks.

The BASA are now halfway to their final goal.

Smith said: “From 6am to 6pm the pool was full of swimmers young and old, from club swimmers to masters.

“Parents and friends were out in full force counting laps, working in the food hut, cheering the swimmers on and, in some cases, taking the plunge themselves.

“Swimmers from the combined clubs swam a distance of over 300 miles in this 12 hour period in order to collect pledges from businesses, family, neighbours and friends.”

As an added incentive IPod Nanos were awarded to the top fundraisers from each club.

These went to Sara Vallis from Sandys360, Liam Peniston from the Dolphin Swim Team, Mitchell Gariepy from the Sharks Swim Club and the Wilcox family from the Harbour Swim Club.

Mark Wilcox raised a significant amount of funds and this was matched by his company, Renaissance Re. As the club who raised the most money, the Harbour Swim Club will be rewarded with a pool deck pizza night for the club and their swimmers.