REBECCA Gallantree insists things are building nicely towards selection on multiple fronts for this summer's Commonwealth Games after securing a surprise Diving World Series bronze alongside replacement 3m synchro partner Hannah Starling.
The 29-year-old normally competes with Alicia Blagg but with her regular partner still recovering from a broken wrist, Gallantree teamed up with Starling for the third leg of the World Series at the London Aquatics Centre.
And despite having just one week's training together, the pair impressed on their international debut together, posting 302.88 points to climb the medal rostrum behind gold medallists Wu Minxia and Shi Tingmao.
Gallantree, who finished seventh in the 3m synchro at the London 2012 Olympics, was back on the boards the following day in the 3m individual springboard event but just missed out on a spot in the final, finishing fifth in her semi-final with 313.85 points.
But, with a bronze medal secured, Gallantree knows there are plenty of positives to take away from her London return.
"It was great diving in the Olympic pool again and it turned into a pleasing weekend all round," she said. "Hannah and I just went in with a target to dive well because that's always the case and just to enjoy it and see what we could get out of it.
"And then to get a medal was brilliant. We had a week together training so it was really good to get such a good result with such little training together.
"It was really difficult to get to sleep afterwards and I felt tired in training on Saturday morning but once I got to the individual competition I felt fine."
Gallantree expects to reunite with Blagg for the fifth leg of the World Series in Windsor, Canada at the end of May while she will head across the Atlantic as early as next weekend to take part in a Grand Prix event with new 10m synchro partner Lois Toulson.
But, despite aiming for two synchro spots on England's team for the Commonwealth Games, Gallantree was also keen to keep her name in the frame on the individual front.
"Obviously it was a bit of a shame to miss out on the final of the individual on Saturday but those top three divers are really classy, I was really pleased with my performance," she added.
"I'm doing the individual at British Championships later this year and I'm hoping to qualify for World Cup and Commonwealths individually so it was great to compete in London and still keep it going."
Make a splash in the spectacular London Aquatics Centre at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The iconic venue has been designed for swimmers of all abilities, from absolute beginners to Olympic and Paralympic champions. Entry is the same price as local leisure centre swimming pools and sessions can be booked in advance online.
