JAZZ Carlin completed her positive year in style on Saturday as she added another Welsh record to her bulging list of achievements.

The former Swindon Tigershark smashed her previous 800m freestyle best by nearly five seconds as she touched home third on the second and final day of Duel in the Pool.

The time of 8:12.01 shattered her previous mark of 8.16.91 and saw her finish third in a European Allstars 1-2-3 headed by Mireia Belmonte Garcia and Lotte Friis.

However, despite the efforts of the former Wootton Bassett School pupil, Europe could not hold on to their 68-54 overnight lead against the United States at Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow, the venue for next summer’s Commonwealth Games.

The US pulled it back to 131-131 after the scheduled 30 races and then won the mixed relay tie-breaker in a world record time of 1:37.17 to ensure they remain unbeaten at Duel in the Pool, although the winning margin was a mere 0.2 seconds.

The 132-131 result was the closest Duel to date and Europe’s Robbie Renwick hopes the event will provide ‘a little taster’ of what is to come at Glasgow 2014.

“The crowd were amazing. We couldn't have asked for any more,” said the Scot.

“It’s a little taster of what’s to come this summer.

“I train here every day and this place feels to me like a foreign place with all the crowd but it was great support from everyone.

“I feel very honoured to represent my country and team Europe.

“It was very intense and very exciting and it seems that's the way every Duel meet should be. If only the balance had swung the other way.

“Everyone really believed we could do it (on Friday) night. It was such a close finish in the end but it’s sport and these things happen.

“That’s what makes it so exciting.

“It was such a close battle to the end.

“It was a fantastic experience and I loved every minute of it.”

Swindon-born Hannah Miley also competed for Europe on Saturday as she came third in the 200m individual medley, clocking 2:08.55.