RACING against the clock is the primary focus for York City Baths Club star James Wilby at the British Gas Swimming Championships in Sheffield today.

The 19-year-old is determined to concentrate on his own times and not the Olympic swimmers he is competing against at Ponds Forge over the next five days.

A hat-trick of personal bests is the aim for Wilby in his three breaststroke events – the 50 metres, 100m and 200m – along with qualifying for a final.

Having set a trio of PBs at the inaugural British Gas International Meet in Leeds in March, Wilby is keen to stay on an upward curve.

The Strensall swimmer said: “I have been on a 21-day training programme leading up to my first event and it is looking good. I am feeling confident.

“I swam PBs in all three races at the International Meet and I’m hoping to improve on that again.

“The main thing now is times and I am also looking to final in the 200 or 100.

“I probably have a better chance in the 200.

“That is what I am looking to achieve – getting to a final in the British Championships.”

He added: “This will be the third year I have been to this event. Last year was the Olympic trials and this year is the World Championship trials.

“It is all good experience of big competitions. It is good swimming against the top guys in these races.

“Although you focus on your own race, you can use it as motivation to pull you along. You’ve just got to try not to let it distract you.”

Wilby’s championships start with the heats of the 50m this morning. The semi-finals and final will be staged tonight.

Tomorrow, Wilby will swim in the heats of the 200m aiming to make the evening semi-finals. The final is scheduled for Friday night.

The 100m heats take place on Saturday morning, with the semi-finals that night and the final on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, two other members of York City Baths Club’s elite group – Freya Beck and Annie Johnston – have been selected for the North East regional team which will compete at the English School Swimming Association Inter-Divisional Championships in Liverpool this weekend.