Payne benefits from past glories

Keri-Anne Payne admitted her Olympic silver medal had helped her overcome pre-race anxiety as she went one better to take the gold in the 10kilometre open water race at the World Championships.

Payne admitted to some nerves but her success from Beijing and knowing a number of her rivals had been in a gruelling 5km race just 24 hours previously, helped assuage them.

Payne said: "It feels amazing. I was anxious this morning. There was lots of pressure from the Games, winning a medal."

She added: "And also I know my funding depends on it.

"I was confident going in because of the swim in Beijing.

"And I was confident they would be tired going in after the 5km, having the races one after another.

"And I know you don't just lose it overnight."

She was though disappointed defending champion Larisa Ilchenko - who competed in the 5km race yesterday - pulled out halfway with a leg injury.

The Stockport Metro swimmer admits the open water event - here held in the sea but also held in lakes and rivers - can be unpredictable with different conditions to contend with.

"Every one is different. You can't tell anybody what it is like," she said. "I wasn't concentrating on the open water this year but this is my best chance of getting a medal."