Cook is happy with his progress.

CHRIS COOK turned his European Championship round in the 50m breaststroke on Saturday.

Swimming in Debrecen, Hungary, he started the heats very determined to push his 100m result behind him - and did so by qualifying for the semi-final in 27.59.

"I had to really put all in to get a result, but that is what I didn't do on the first day," Cook said after the heat.

The City of Newcastle swimmer went on to drop his time in the semi-final to make the final with 27.50.

In a very close final, Cook was amongst the race and finished in sixth place in a time of 27.28.

Cook turned these championships round competing against swimmers specially prepared for the event, while he is looking for the bigger fish next year.

He then put in a credible 2-11.36 for the 200m breaststroke, which was the fastest he has been for over a year.

Andrew Mayor, Cook's club-mate, made full use of his experience at the European Championships in the 200m butterfly.

Mayor knew the field would go out fast, so he decided to get in the race.

This he did and was up with them all at 100m with 55.68.

"I felt comfortable at this point, but paid for it in the last 50m and faded to finish in 2-22.16," he said.

"I feel I can now work this speed and have it right for March."

Meanwhile, in Queensland Australia, Jessica Thielmann got her swims off to a good start when representing Great Britain at the Long Course state Championships.

She hit three personal best times, starting with the 200m breaststroke in 2-44.52, then followed this with 2-27.18 for 200m butterfly and 1-08.49 for the 100m butterfly.

CAPTION(S):

CHRIS COOK; JESSICA THIELMANN