SWIMMING ace Jay Lelliot took four wins from a possible eight in the Cardiff International Open meeting this weekend.

The Portland star and European 400m freestyle bronze medallist, had a tough schedule for the three-day event, competing in 13 races.

Lelliot, 22, is building up to the British Nationals at Sheffield in late July and was satisfied with how his early-season foray went after winning the 200m, 400m and 1,500m freestyle events plus the 200m backstroke in his Bath University colours.

He said: “It went okay, it wasn’t a big competition but doing 12 races in the first two days absolutely killed me! A couple of events were quicker than they should have been and a couple were slower but that’s the fatigue of the competition taking its toll.”

Lelliot, a Commonwealth Games finalist, took second place in each of the 100m freestyle, 400m individual medley – his first competitive race in that discipline – and the 200m butterfly events, while also taking fourth in the 100m backstroke.

Lelliot described his 400m freestyle performance as a “learning curve.”

“I went out way too fast. It felt pretty smooth though 200m but I couldn’t kick on. It’s all a learning curve. I’ve not been back in the water very long (after the British Championships in April) so I need to build the fitness back up.”