AS lightning caused havoc in Belgrade, Danielle Hill thundered home to a sensational silver medal on the penultimate night of racing in the 2024 European Aquatic Championships.
Hill showed no signs of being phased in stormy conditions to fire home in 1:00.19 to secure silver in the 100m Backstroke. The Larne swimmer backed up her golden performance from Thursday to take her second senior medal of her career. Hill was pipped to the gold in a titanic battle with Poland’s Adela Piskorska by just 0.40 of a second.
Speaking in the mixed zone, Hill said: “It’s special after what has been a crazy night, we were just happy to get in the water and I knew tonight was going to be who wanted it more and put their hand on the wall first. Credit to Adela that she got her hand on the wall; I think it’s a massive personal best for her. Listen, it wasn’t to be tonight, but I can’t be disappointed with the silver medal.”
Speaking on the weather conditions, Hill added: “I’ve had to deal with that before out in the Gold Coast in Australia at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, it was the 100 Backstroke semi-final. It was a bit nervy at times, but I got in the water and got the job done.”
With Paris on the horizon Hill added: “I’m super excited, it’s kind of weird I don’t think anyone looks forward to training but at this stage I can’t wait to get back in the water. I’ve got things that need to be worked on but it’s a great place to be five weeks out.’
Lastly, Hill touched on representing Ireland: “It’s really special, I haven’t had the best couple of summers with the Irish hat on but to get back out here and be on the top is great. I can’t speak highly of the team, it’s a young team here but man they don’t seem like they haven’t been here before. They have been all incredible, the energy is contagious, and it has showed for me in the pool.”
In the same race, Belfast 19-year-old Lottie Cullen finished fifth in Europe with a time of 1:01.03, her first individual final at a senior international event. The National Centre (Ulster) swimmer closed out her magnificent week with one final (100 Back) and two semi-finals (200 Back, 50 Back).
Enniskillen’s Ellie McCartney closed out her excellent week with a European eighth in the 200m Medley Final, clocking 2:14.09 to set a new personal best.
McCartney said: “It was an exciting race, it was all over the place with lighting but it’s nice to progress through the rounds quicker each time, and it’s good to get a PB in the end after a long week in the pool. I think coming out here I wanted to prove a point that I’m not just a junior swimmer and that I can contribute to the team at a senior level, to come away making three finals I can come away satisfied knowing I made that point.”
