Day 3 prelims of the 2014 Pan Pacific Championships are upon us, and it is finally Michael Phelps time. His major two races (the 100 fly and 200 IM) come over the final two days in Australia, and he’ll swim the 100 fly in this morning’s preliminaries.
Phelps wasn’t even the American national champ, though, as that honor went to Tom Shields. Shields will try to simultaneously make up for his 200 fly DQ, prove his U.S. National meet wasn’t a fluke and prove my gutsy pre-meet prediction right.
Meanwhile Missy Franklin will continue to push through her back injury in trying to win the 200 back. Franklin has been dealing with back spasms and has been swimming solidly through them, but still seems a bit affected. Her teammate Elizabeth Pelton is the meet record-holder, and the two will face Australia’s national record-holder Belinda Hocking.
There’s the 400 free, with phenom Katie Ledecky in line for another title after winning the 200 and 800 on night 1. In the men’s 200 back, Japan’s Ryosuke Irie will look for a backstroke sweep over the top of meet record-holder Ryan Lochte, Olympic gold medalist Tyler Clary and 400 IM winner Kosuke Hagino.
Stay tuned for event-by-event recaps, including probable finals start lists based on the Pan Pacs rule allowing only two swimmers from any given country into the A final.
2014 Pan Pacific Championships
- Gold Coast, Australia
- Thursday, August 21-Sunday, August 24
- Meet website
- Psych sheets
- Live results
Women’s 100 fly
Meet record: 57.30, Jessica Schipper (AUS)
American record: 55.98, Dana Vollmer
Australian record: 56.23, Jessica Schipper
Canadian record: 57.27, Katerine Savard
Japanese record: 57.77, Yuka Kato
Australia All-comers record: 56.61, Inge de Bruijn (NED)
Australia’s Alicia Coutts had a rough Commonwealth Games, but she started to turn things around this morning with a very solid 100 fly. Her 57.84 leads the field by almost half a second. Coutts was followed by her teammate Emma McKeon in the same heat, and McKeon’s 58.29 is the second overall seed.
Claire Donahue went out guns blazing, with the field’s fastest opening 50. She sits third at 58.41 after falling off a bit in the back-half. She’ll be interesting to watch in tonight’s final, if only because she’s got so much speed compared to the rest of this field.
The second American into the final will be Kendyl Stewart, a speedster herself. Stewart was 58.47 this morning, just a tick behind Donahue.
Felicia Lee was the third American, and will roll down to the B final despite finishing 5th. Her 58.59 was just ahead of China’s Ying Lu (58.74).
17-year-old Katie McLaughlin continued her strong run of swims, going 58.77 to take 7th. Australia’s Brittany Elmslie was 58.87 to round out the top 8 – both women will be bumped from the A final, however.
Probable A-finalists:
- Alicia Coutts (AUS) – 57.84
- Emma Mckeon (AUS) – 58.29
- Claire Donahue (USA) – 58.41
- Kendyl Stewart (USA) – 58.47
- Ying Lu (CHN) – 58.74
- Katerine Savard (CAN) – 59.15
- Etiene Medeiros (BRA) – 59.29
- Audrey Lacroix (CAN) – 59.40
Men’s 100 fly
Meet record: 50.86, Michael Phelps (USA)
American record: 49.82, Michael Phelps
Australian record: 50.85, Andrew Lauterstein
Canadian record: 52.28, Joe Bartoch
Japanese record: 51.00, Kohei Kawamoto
Australia All-comers record: 50.77, Michael Phelps
It’s like old times for the Americans, with longtime stars Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps atop the standings. The two are separated by just .02 after prelims, each winning their respective heats.
Lochte was 51.55 and leads the way, with Phelps at 51.57. The Americans were thoroughly dominant, sweeping the top 5 spots with all their entrants. That means the Americans officially go undefeated in this event for prelims. (Hardcore U.S. fans can stand up and salute the flag now).
Tim Phillips was 51.73 for third, and he’ll slide to the B final, while Tom Shields was 52.00 for fourth. That’s still a solid swim, but has to be disappointing for the Cal Bear, who DQ’d the 200 fly and will miss a finals swim here as the fourth American. Fifth for the U.S. was Matt Ellis at 52.01.
Australia’s Tommaso D’Orsogna will rise to become the third seed at 52.56. Japan put two into the A final with Kenta Hirai going 52.70 and Hirofumi Ikebata in at 52.71. Brazil’s Thiago Pereira was also sub-53 at 52.91 for 9th overall.
Probable A-finalists:
- Ryan Lochte (USA) – 51.55
- Michael Phelps (USA) – 51.57
- Tommaso D’Orsogna (AUS) – 52.56
- Kenta Hirai (JPN) – 52.70
- Hirofumi Ikebata (JPN) – 52.71
- Thiago Pereira (BRA) – 52.91
- Chris Wright (AUS) – 53.12
- Nicholas Santos (BRA) – 53.58
Women’s 400 free
Meet record: 4:04.53, Janet Evans (USA)
American record: 3:58.86, Katie Ledecky
Australian record: 4:03.40, Kylie Palmer
Canadian record: 4:05.06, Brittany MacLean
Japanese record: 4:05.19, Ai Shibata
Australia All-comers record: 4:02.61, Laure Manaudou (FRA)
At U.S. Nationals, Katie Ledecky shook the world record in the 400 free prelims before breaking it in the final. At Pan Pacs, she relaxed the prelims swim, going 4:03.09 for an easy #1 seed. Have no doubt, though, that she’ll go after the mark in finals, after her outstanding 200 frees so far this week and her near-miss WR in the 800 free on day 1.
The second seed is American Cierra Runge, who won her heat with a 4:06.73. She beat Venezuela’s Andreina Pinto for that heat win, and Pinto now sits third in 4:07.48.
American Leah Smith was fourth in 4:07.77, but she’ll head to the B final courtesy of Ledecky and Runge. 16-year-old Becca Mann will miss both finals (barring scratches) after taking fifth in 4:08.50.
New Zealand’s Lauren Boyle was 4:08.64 for sixth, and joining her in the final will be Australia’s Bronte Barratt (4:09.30) and Alanna Bowles (4:09.53).
Probable A-finalists:
- Katie Ledecky (USA) – 4:03.09
- Cierra Runge (USA) – 4:06.73
- Andreina Pinto (VEN) – 4:07.48
- Lauren Boyle (NZE) – 4:08.64
- Bronte Barratt (AUS) – 4:09.30
- Alanna Bowles (AUS) – 4:09.53
- Brittany Maclean (CAN) – 4:09.75
- Sam Cheverton (CAN) – 4:14.44
Men’s 400 free
Meet record: 3:41.83, Ian Thorpe (AUS)
American record: 3:42.78, Larsen Jensen
Australian record: 3:40.08, Ian Thorpe
Canadian record: 3:43.46, Ryan Cochrane
Japanese record: 3:43.90, Kosuke Hagino
Australia All-comers record: 3:40.54, Ian Thorpe (AUS)
He scratched out of his other two races and didn’t appear to be swimming at Pan Pacs, but South Korea’s all-time swimming icon Park Tae Hwan made a surprise appearance in the men’s 400 free. Park blasted to a win in heat number three, going a 3:46.10 that held up as the meet’s top seed.
He had to work hard to win that heat, though, being pushed by American Connor Jaeger. Jaeger finished just a tenth back in 3:46.20.
Australia’s David McKeon makes the A final after a 3:47.81 good for third, and Japan’s Kosuke Hagino will look to follow up his 400 IM victory in the championship final here with a 3:48.92 seed.
There was a tie for fifth, with American Michael McBroom and Australian Junior World Record-holder Mack Horton going 3:49.07. Both will make the championship heat as the second representative from their country.
Australia’s Jordan Harrison is out in 3:49.66, as is American Matt McLean (3:50.49). Both will head to the B final. Taking their places are Canada’s Ryan Cochrane (3:50.08) and Japan’s Yuri Kobori (3:50.88).
Probable A-finalists:
- Park Tae Hwan (KOR) – 3:46.10
- Connor Jaeger (USA) – 3:46.20
- David McKeon (AUS) – 3:47.81
- Kosuke Hagino (JPN) – 3:48.92
- Mack Horton (AUS) – 3:49.07(tie)
- Michael McBroom (USA) – 3:49.07(tie)
- Ryan Cochrane (CAN) – 3:50.08
- Yuki Kobori (JPN) – 3:50.59
Women’s 200 back
Meet record: 2:07.48, Elizabeth Pelton (USA)
American record: 2:04.06 Missy Franklin
Australian record: 2:06.06 Belinda Hocking
Canadian record: 2:06.80, Hilary Caldwell
Japanese record: 2:07.13, Reiko Nakamura
Australia All-comers record: 2:06.68, Belinda Hocking (AUS)
We’ve got a great battle set up in this event, as Australian Belinda Hocking and American Missy Franklin are separated by just .01 coming out of prelims. Hocking was 2:08.99 and will be the top seed, while Franklin sits second in 2:09.00.
It’s an interesting matchup. Franklin, when at her best, has proven to be in a league of her own in this race. She’s the world record-holder and generally the perennial favorite anytime she swims it. But with her health somewhat uncertain and Hocking holding home pool advantage, this might be one of the few times we see Missy really tested in her marquee event.
If Franklin’s back acts up, it’ll fall to American Elizabeth Beisel to pick up the slack. Beisel missed qualifying for the worlds team in this event after slipping off the start at U.S. Nationals. She dropped the 400 free today to focus on this event, and it paid off. Beisel went 2:09.24 and narrowly got the second American A final spot over Elizabeth Pelton (6th in 2:09.95). Now she’ll try to qualify for the swim at World’s with her finals time tonight.
Canada put two into the top 8, with national record-holder Hilary Caldwell (2:09.72) and Dominique Bouchard (2:09.73). 100 back winner Emily Seebohm squeaks into the final from 8th place, and Japan’s Sayaka Akase and Marie Kamimura will join her from 10th and 14th, respectively.
Probable A-finalists:
- Belinda Hocking (AUS) – 2:08.99
- Missy Franklin (USA) – 2:09.00
- Elizabeth Beisel (USA) – 2:09.24
- Hilary Caldwell (CAN) – 2:09.72
- Dominique Bouchard (CAN) – 2:09.73
- Emily Seebohm (AUS) – 2:10.99
- Sayaka Akase (JPN) – 2:11.24
Men’s 200 back
Meet record: 1:54.12, Ryan Lochte (USA)
American record: 1:51.92, Aaron Peirsol
Australian record: 1:55.26, Mitch Larkin
Canadian record: 1:57.34, Matthew Hawes
Japanese record: 1:52.51, Ryosuke Irie
Australia All-comers record: 1:54.06, Ryosuke Irie (JPN)
After winning the 100 back earlier in the meet, Japan’s Ryosuke Irie kept on his roll, going 1:55.10 for the top seed in the men’s 200 back. He passed up the top seeds to win that 100, so now he’ll try to claim another gold medal from out front. His time was six tenths faster than American Ryan Murphy, the youngster who had a great prelims swim to assure himself a seat in the final.
Murphy finished just ahead of Olympic gold medalist Tyler Clary (1:56.45), and both will grab a spot in the championship heat tonight. Ryan Lochte was a late scratch, presumably focusing more on the 100 fly after his barn-burner prelims swim.
Australia’s national record-holder Mitch Larkin went 1:56.86, and he’ll be into the final as well. Irie’s Japanese teammate Kosuke Hagino is in his second final of the day, taking 5th in 1:56.94 and coming off of the 400 free. If he swims both tonight it’ll be an impressive double, but if he scratches one or the other it’ll be interesting to see how the remaining race is affected.
Australia’s second finals entrant is Josh Beaver, who went 1:57.52. Japan’s Haya Matsubara and the US’s Jacob Pebley are both relegated to the B final, but they should have a good battle after finishing 7th and 8th in 1:58.27 and 1:58.46, respectively. Brazil’s Leonardo de Deus and New Zealander Corey Main will take their spots in the final heat.
Probable A-finalists:
- Ryosuke Irie (JPN) – 1:55.10
- Ryan Murphy (USA) – 1:55.73
- Tyler Clary (USA) – 1:56.45
- Mitchell Larkin (AUS) – 1:56.86
- Kosuke Hagino (JPN) – 1:56.94
- Josh Beaver (AUS) – 1:57.52
- Leonardo de Deus (BRA) – 1:59.60
- Corey Main (NZE) – 1:59.85
Great, easy swim by Ledecky. One thing nobody’s talking about: if she wins the 400 tonight and 1500 tomorrow, I think she will be the first swimmer-male or female-to win four individual golds at a single Pan Pacs.
At least that’s what I can tell from Wikipedia results. Can anyone confirm this?
Lochte did it in 2010. 200 free, 200 back, 200 im, 400 im.
Whoops, my bad. No woman or anybody else though, right? Phelps hasn’t.
Did anyone else notice that Canada put THREE swimmers into the top 8 in the women’s 200 back? I think that’s the first time that the 2 per country rule against more than 2 from a single team for the A final has worked against them.
Good job Canada! By the way, I saw those videos with Canada commentating, and I thought they were much better than the US, Australian or British commentators I’ve heard in the past! 🙂
Has anyone noticed that lochte and phelps are basically swimming the same events now that lochte dumped the 200 back ? 100 fly, 200 IM, 100 free plus the two free relays !!! I bet rowdy and the nbc execs are happy the 2015 and 2016 big meets will be billed as the Michael and Ryan retirement tour !
Retirement tour? Lochte and Phelps will only be 36 and 35 in 2020. Younger than Jason Lezak was in London and Dara Torres in Beijing. Just saying. 🙂
And yes, I noticed a while ago that once Lochte dropped the 200 back, he and Phelps would probably be swimming the exact same events. It’s going to be interesting.
Lochte scratching the 200 back pretty well guarantees he’s in the 4×100 free with Adrian and Phelps. So, Ervin or Feigen for the fourth spot?
Tomorrow could be an awesome battle if Cielo and Santana were on Gold Coast to join De Lucca Nicolas and Chiereginni…
Feigen has to do good.. he needs to prove himself from last year silver.. show it was not a one time wonder swim..
Yeah, I think it’s good for Lochte to dump the 200 back to focus on the 200 IM and give the youngsters a chance in it.
I think Lochte is pragmatic and I don’t think “give the youngsters a chance in it” has anything to with his decision.
Lochte knows that 200 IM is his best chance and he has learned from London that doing the double in the same day is not very wise especially when he’ll be 32 in Rio.
Lochte kind of flamed out at Nationals in the 200 back, starting off very fast and then….pffftttt…So no brainer to drop that race rather than do both. My money’s on Lochte for the 100 fly win, but Phelps is really using second half speed like no other at this meet. Look at the splits in the 100 free yesterday. He had the fastest split on his second half.
I have this worried scenario running through my head in which Lochte wins under 51.3, Phelps does something like miss a turn and suddenly it is Shields and Lochte to Worlds. Don’t get me wrong: I would be excited for the other two, but I would much rather see Phelps in 100 fly than 100 free.
Lochte scratching 200 back prelims!!!
Beisel wins the womens 200m back tonight as does Clary for the men.
Really? Irie looked super smooth out there.
Yes he did look super smooth, but can you tell me of a time when Irie didn’t look super smooth?
How many times did commentator called Irie “technician?”
Damn! Voted down twice for that comment. Must be some Cal Bears fans in the audience 🙂
If the race is very fast, I’ll take Clary over Irie.
Irie is probably the most consistently fast 200 male backstroke in history. I am betting that he has the most 1:54-1:55 of any other swimmers, but he always lost the race if it’s very fast from the start (2012 london and 2013 Barcelona).
Clary seems to be back to his London shape.
I vote Murphy with an upset over Clary but Irie gets the win.
1:56.45 for Clary