SIMON LE COUILLIARD’S first senior British representative swim was in the men’s 100m butterfly on the opening day of the European Championships in Trieste, Italy, yesterday.

A 55.9 seconds was three per cent away from his personal best and left him at the bottom of the heats and slightly disappointed.

Le Couilliard said; ‘I was disappointed with a 55.

I’d felt great in the warm up but my legs were very heavy down the last 25 metres.’ Le Couilliard’s Jersey-based AIB Tigers coach Paul du Feu was philosophical about the swim.

‘We knew Simon wasn’t going into the meet fully tapered and we’ve not done a huge amount of speed work yet.

He’s one of the youngest swimmers there in a world class event and while we accept he feels disappointed and wants to be competitive it’s all part of a long term plan.’ Du Feu added: ‘Simon’s sore legs are a worry and he’s receiving help from the physios out there.

He’s very reliant on his kicks off the wall and those large muscles need to be able to cope with the pressures.’ Le Couilliard’s second swim is tomorrow when he’ll be in the 200m butterfly.

He is keen to get within the three per cent of best time he swam in the 100m.

‘Everyone hopes the extra 24 hours rest will help him in his preparation,’ said du Feu.