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 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 top is great. I can’t speak highly enough 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, 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).
As the lighting and rain worsened, competition paused which meant Irish pair Shane Ryan and Calum Bain had to wait to stand back on the blocks for the 50m Freestyle semi-final. Ryan, who advanced from the heat with a new senior record, took to the centre lane after coming out of the heat swim fastest (21.82). Ryan was in and out of the pool in 21.96 seconds to secure a final place in fourth.
Calum Bain stood on the blocks beside his National Centre (Dublin) teammate in lane three for the 50m Freestyle semi-final. Bain went 22.12 to place ninth, agonisingly close to making the final.
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.
Conor Ferguson continued to perform impressively as he progressed into the 100m Backstroke final with a sixth-place finish, touching the wall in 54.12. However, the Loughborough swimmer will not contest the final as he travels home on Sunday.
The Men’s 1500 Freestyle fell victim to the weather conditions which meant Nathan Wiffen has to wait one more day to race. The final was set to get underway with all swimmers preparing to stand on the blocks only to be asked to stand down due to worsening conditions and the higher risk factor of the swimmers being in the pool for the longer distance event. The final will now take place tomorrow evening at 5:10pm.