Kiwi swim star Erika Fairweather has continued her stellar form at the world aquatic championships at Doha, qualifying fastest for the women's 200m freestyle final.
Earlier this week, Fairweather became New Zealand's first-ever world champion in the pool with her victory in the women's 400m freestyle final.
In the 200m event, the Dunedin product finished second in her heat, recording a time of 1m 57.40s. She then ramped up her pace in the semi-final, winning in 1m 55.75s to top the list of finalists.
Fairweather, 20, was 0.29s quicker than second-fastest qualifier Siobhan Haughey of Hong Kong, with Australia Shayna Jack third quickest.
She'll attempt to become New Zealand's first double world champion, when the final gets underway at 5:17am Thursday.
Fellow Kiwi Eve Thomas missed out on the podium in the women's 1500m freestyle final, finishing 12s shy of bronze medallist Isabel Gose of Germany in a personal best time of 16m 09.43s.
That mark is seven seconds faster than she swam during the semi-final, when she qualified seventh for the final.
"That 1500 was a great swim, and I'm stoked with a PB and finishing fourth," said Thomas.
"The team has been brilliant. We’ve really been getting behind one another and supporting, and I’m hoping for more good swims to come with the 4x200m and 800m later this week."
Meanwhile, Lewis Clareburt began his world champs campaign by clinching a place in the men's 200m butterfly final, qualifying sixth-fastest with a time of 1m 55.82s.
The final takes place at 5:53am Thursday.
"I was pretty pleased with that swim and I'm planning to back it up tomorrow," said Clareburt. "I'm having a great time over here.
"We've got a super tightknit team and we've got some little bets going between us athletes, which is definitely adding to the entertainment."
