2022 FINA World Cup – Berlin: Day 2 Prelims Live Recap

2022 FINA WORLD CUP – BERLIN

• Friday, October 21 – Sunday, October 23, 2022
• Europa-Sportpark, Berlin, Germany
• SCM (25 meters)
• Start Times
  • Prelims: 8:30 am local / 2:30 am ET
  • Finals: 7:00 pm local / 1:00 pm ET
• Meet Central
• Psych Sheet
• Live Results (Omega)
• Live Stream (FINA YouTube)

The second day of the FINA World Cup stop in Berlin is underway. The schedule for this morning is slightly fractured, as the session will start with the slowest heats of the women’s 400 IM and men’s 1500 free. We’ll then move into the ‘A’ flight of today’s events, which consists of the fastest three heats in each event. Once all the ‘A’ flights for each event have concluded, the session will then move directly into the ‘B’ flights.

You can view the day two prelims heat sheet here.

Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey is the top seed in the women’s 200 free by a wide margin. The World Record holder in the event, Haughey comes in with a 1:50.31, putting her over two seconds ahead of the next-fastest seed: Madi Wilson (1:52.55). After an excellent summer, we should keep an eye on Netherland’s Marrit Steenbergen, the third seed.

World Junior Record holder Matt Sates is the top seed in the men’s 200 IM this morning, coming in with his WJR mark of 1:51.45. Unlike the women’s 200 free, the men’s 200 IM is tightly packed at the top, with Italy’s Alberto Razzetti entering as the #2 seed with a 1:51.54.

Sweden’s Louise Hansson enters as the top seed in the women’s 100 back. Her time of 55.20 is notably under the World Cup Record mark of 55.23. Canada’s Kylie Masse (55.22) is the #2 seed and is also entered under the World Cup Record.

World Record holder Huseyin Sakci is the top seed in the men’s 50 breast. Sakci is the only swimmer to have broken 25 seconds in the SCM 50 breast, but he’ll likely be pushed by Nicolo Martinenghi and Nic Fink in the event today.

Another World Record holder, Kyle Chalmers, is the top seed in the men’s 100 free. Likewise, Ruta Meilutyte is the World Record holder in the women’s 100 breast. However, unlike the other World Record holders in today’s events, Meilutyte is nor the top seed in the women’s 100 breast. She’s seeded sixth with a 1:05.23, well off her WR of 1:02.36.

WOMEN’S 400 IM – SLOW HEATS

• World Record: 4:18.94, Mireia Belmonte (ESP), 2017
• World Junior Record: 4:23.33, Ye Shiwen (CHN), 2017
• World Cup Record: 4:18.94, Mireia Belmonte (ESP), 2017

Denmark’s Helena Bach was the fastest swimmer in the slow heats by a wide margin. She finished in 4:38.86, which is still well off the seed times for the fast heat, which will take place in tonight’s final.

MEN’S 1500 FREESTYLE – SLOW HEATS

• World Record: 14:06.88, Florian Wellbrock (GER), 2021
• World Junior Record: 14:27.78, Gregorio Paltrinieri (ITA), 2012
• World Cup Record: 14:15.49, Mykhailo Romanchuk (UKR), 2016

Austria’s Jan Hercog posted the top time in the slow heats, swimming a 14:56.68. He was well ahead of everyone else in the field, however, the slowest seed time in tonight’s fastest heat is 14:48, so it remains to be seen whether Hercog will move up into the top eight when all is said and done.

MEN’S 50 BACKSTROKE – HEATS

• World Record: 22.22, Florent Manaudou (FRA), 2014
• World Junior Record: 22.77, Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS), 2018
• World Cup Record: 22.61, Peter Marshall (USA), 2009

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Dylan Carter (TTO) – 23.41
2. Thomas Ceccon (ITA) – 23.48
3. Florent Manaudou (FRA) – 23.51
4. Javier Acevedo (CAN) – 23.54
5. Apostolos Christou (GRE) – 23.62
6. Yohann Ndoye-Brouard (FRA) – 23.67
7. Tomas Franta (CZE) – 23.77
8. Ole Braunschweig (GER) – 23.78

Dylan Carter is showing off his sprint versatility, swimming a 23.41. LCM 100 back World Record holder Thomas Ceccon was right behind Carter this morning, swimming a 23.48.

The top eight was incredibly tight, seeing first and eighth separated by just 0.37 seconds.

WOMEN’S 200 FREESTYLE – HEATS

• World Record: 1:50.31, Siobhan Haughey (HKG), 2021
• World Junior Record: 1:52.85, Kayla Sanchez (CAN), 2018
• World Cup Record: 1:50.43, Sarah Sjostrom (SWE), 2017

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Madi Wilson (AUS) – 1:55.01
2. Marrit Steenbergen (NED) – 1:55.14
3. Valentine Dumont (BEL) – 1:55.86
4. Barbora Seemanova (CZE) – 1:56.03
5. Siobhan Haughey (HKG) – 1:56.22
6. Katja Fain (SLO) – 1:56.29
7. Marie Wattel (FRA) – 1:56.49
8. Signe Bro (DEN) – 1:56.53

Australian Madi Wilson led the way this morning, swimming a 1:55.01. While the time was over two seconds off her personal best, Wilson put together a great race splits-wise, going 27.03 on the first 50, then splitting 29.58, 29.64, and 28.76 respectively on the remaining 50s.

Marrit Steenbergen was right behind Wilson, swimming a 1:55.14, which is also over two seconds off her best.

Top seed Siobhan Haughey made it back for finals, swimming a 1:56.22 to finish fifth. The World Record holder in the event, Haughey should be quite a bit faster in finals tonight, as her WR sits six seconds faster than she swam this morning.

Again, American Paige Madden had an off swim, missing out on the final by finishing ninth with a 1:56.97.

MEN’S 200 IM – HEATS

• World Record: 1:49.63, Ryan Lochte (USA), 2012
• World Junior Record: 1:51.45, Matt Sates (RSA), 2021
• World Cup Record: 1:50.66, Daiya Seto (JPN), 2021

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Matt Sates (RSA) – 1:56.00
2. Danas Rapsys (LTU) – 1:56.53
3. Yakov Toumarkin (ISR) – 1:56.75
4. Hubert Kos (HUN) – 1:56.97
5. Luc Kroon (NED) – 1:57.20
6. Kristaps Mikelsons (LAT) – 1:58.30
7. Vadym Naumenko (UKR) – 1:58.39
8. Thomas Jansen (NED) – 1:58.76 (Tie)
9. Shaine Casas (USA) – 1:58.76 (Tie)

There will be a swim-off to determine whether Thomas Jansen or Shaine Casas advance to the final. In the swim-off, Jansen improved by nearly a second, swimming a 1:57.89. Casas was disqualified, so regardless of the time, Jansen will be advancing to the final tonight, while Casas will not.

Matt Sates led the men’s 200 IM this morning, swimming a 1:56.00. Sates was exceptional in the middle of the race this morning, splitting 29.28 on backstroke and 33.28 on breaststroke.

Meanwhile, Danas Rapsys roared home in 27.12 on the last 50, getting him into the finish second overall with a 1:56.53.

Notably, Italy’s Alberto Razzetti, the #2 seed, did not advance to the final, swimming a 1:59.36 for 13th.

WOMEN’S 100 BACKSTROKE – HEATS

• World Record: 54.89, Minna Atherton (AUS), 2019
• World Junior Record: 55.99, Mie Oe Nielsen (DEN), 2013
• World Cup Record: 55.23, Shiho Sakai (JPN), 2009

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Ingrid Wilm (CAN) – 56.64
2. Beata Nelson (USA) – 56.74
3. Kylie Masse (CAN) – 56.90
4. Louise Hansson (SWE) – 57.18
5. Maaike de Waard (NED) – 57.34
6. Pauline Mahieu (FRA) – 57.35
7. Simona Kubova (CZE) – 57.41
8. Paulina Peda (POL) – 57.44

The top eight in the women’s 100 back were separated by less than a second this morning. Canada’s Ingrid Wilm clocked the top time of prelims, swimming a 56.64. Beata Nelson (USA) and Kylie Masse (Canada) were also under 57 seconds. Masse and Wilm went 1-2 in the 50 back yesterday, so they’ll be looking for a repeat at the top of the podium.

Top seed Louise Hansson (Sweden) had the fastest first 50 in the field this morning, swimming a 27.22. She wasn’t as fast as the top three coming home, however, and ended up fourth with a 57.18.

MEN’S 50 BREASTSTROKE – HEATS

• World Record: 24.95, Huseyin Sakci (TUR), 2021
• World Junior Record: 25.85, Simone Cerasuolo (ITA), 2021
• World Cup Record: 25.25, Cameron van der Burgh (RSA), 2009

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Nicolo Martinenghi (ITA) – 26.44
2. Reece Whitley (USA) – 26.45
3. Bernhard Reitshammer (AUT) – 26.54
4. Nic Fink (USA) – 26.60
5. Huseyin Sakci (TUR) – 26.80
6. Mikel Schreuders (ARU) –  26.80
7. Olli Kokko (FIN) – 26.85
8. Lucas Matzerath (GER) – 26.87

Nicolo Martinenghi led the field in the men’s 50 breast this morning, swimming a 26.44. American Reece Whitley touched 0.01 seconds behind Martinenghi, grabbing the second seed for tonight’s final.

World Record holder Huseyin Sakci tied for fifth this morning, swimming a 26.80. Mikel Schreuders also swam 26.80.

American Nic Fink was fourth this morning, swimming a 26.60.

Notably, Florent Manaudou nearly qualified for his second final of the day, finishing ninth in 26.90. Manaudou had already finished third in the men’s 50 back prelims this morning.

WOMEN’S 50 BUTTERFLY – HEATS

• World Record: 24.38, Therese Alshammar (SWE), 2009
• World Junior Record: 24.55, Claire Curzan (USA), 2021
• World Cup Record: 24.38, Therese Alshammar (SWE), 2009

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Beryl Gastaldello (FRA) – 25.52
2. Sara Junevik (SWE) – 25.53 (Tie)
3. Kim Busch (NED) – 25.53 (Tie)
4. Marie Wattel (FRA) – 25.61
5. Silvia di Pietro (ITA) – 25.68
6. Melanie Henique (FRA) – 25.70
7. Maaike de Waard (NED) – 25.79
8. Holly Barratt (AUS) – 25.92

In another incredibly tight finish, France’s Beryl Gastaldello touched first in 25.52. She was followed closely by Sweden’s Sara Junevik and Netherlands’ Kim Busch, both of whom tied for second at 25.53. Another Frenchwoman, Marie Wattel, was fourth in 25.61, setting up what should be a great race in the middle of the pool tonight.

France had another swimmer advance to the final, with Melanie Henique clocking a 25.70 for sixth this morning.

MEN’S 100 FREESTYLE – HEATS

• World Record: 44.84, Kyle Chalmers (AUS), 2021
• World Junior Record: 46.11, Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS), 2018
• World Cup Record: 44.95, Vlad Morozov (RUS), 2018

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Maxime Grousset (FRA) – 46.46
2. Kyle Chalmers (AUS) – 46.96
3. Alessandro Miressi (ITA) – 47.14
4. Leonardo Deplano (ITA) – 47.21
5. Thomas Ceccon (ITA) – 47.32
6. Kacper Majchrzak (POL) – 47.51
7. Jakub Kraska (POL) – 47.52
8. Karol Ostrowski (POL) – 47.53

Maxime Grousset posted the top time of the morning by half a second, swimming a 46.96. Grousset was out the fastest of anyone this morning, swimming a 22.28 on the first 50, then coming home in 24.18, which was also the fastest second 50 split in the field.

World Record holder Kyle Chalmers swam a 46.96, a little over two seconds off his World Record time of 44.84. We can expect Chalmers to present a challenge to Grousset tonight, as both swimmers will likely go faster.

Italy’s Alessandro Miressi has been one of the most consistent LCM 100 freestylers over the last few years, and finished third this morning with a 47.14. Miressi has consistently been able to swim 47s in the LCM 100 free over the last several years, so we can expect him to dip under 47 in this final tonight.

Thomas Ceccon made his second final of the day, swimming a 47.32 to finish fifth this morning. Ceccon had already finished second in the men’s 50 back prelims this morning.

American Kieran Smith swam a 47.59, taking tenth, therefore missing out on qualifying for the final.

WOMEN’S 100 BREASTSTROKE – HEATS

• World Record: 1:02.36, Alia Atkinson (JAM)/Ruta Meilutyte (LTU), 2016/2013
• World Junior Record: 1:02.36, Ruta Meilutyte (LTU), 2013
• World Cup Record: 1:02.36, Alia Atkinson (JAM)/Ruta Meilutyte (LTU), 2016/2013

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Ruta Meilutyte (LTU) – 1:04.80
2. Tes Schouten (NED) – 1:04.97
3. Dominika Sztandera (POL) – 1:05.14
4. Anastasia Gorbenko (ISR) – 1:05.42
5. Sophie Hansson (SWE) – 1:05.64
6. Lisa Angiolini (ITA) – 1:05.76
7. Martina Carraro (ITA) – 1:05.90
8. Charlotte Bonnet (FRA) – 1:06.00

World Record holder Ruta Meilutyte posted the top time of the morning, swimming a 1:04.80 to take some time off her seed. While she was still 2.44 seconds off her WR mark, she’s set herself up well for tonight’s final. In ture Meilutyte fashion, she had the fastest first 50 split in the field, swimming a 30.35 to establish the early lead.

Netherlands’ Tes Schouten had a strong swim this morning as well, taking second in 1:04.97.

MEN’S 200 BUTTERFLY – HEATS

• World Record: 1:48.24, Daiya Seto (JPN), 2018
• World Junior Record: 1:49.89, Kuan-Hung Wang (TPE), 2020
• World Cup Record: 1:48.56, Chad le Clos (RSA), 2013

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Noe Ponti (SUI) – 1:52.71
2. Krzysztof Chmielewski (POL) – 1:53.13
3. Kuan-Hung Wang (TPE) – 1:53.15
4. Chad le Clos (RSA) – 1:53.39
5. Miguel Martinez (ESP) – 1:53.95
6. Alberto Razzetti (ITA) – 1:53.98
7. Richard Marton (HUN) – 1:54.06
8. Kregor Zirk (EST) – 1:54.09

Noe Ponti put together a solid morning swim of 1:52.71 to grab the top seed for tonight’s final. Ponti also displayed some great closing speed this morning, swimming a 28.54 on the final 50, which was the second-fastest in the field. Impressively, Chad le Clos, who isn’t typically known for his closing speed, swam a 27.70 on the final lap of the race this morning, marking the fastest split in the field.

After missing the final in the men’s 200 IM this morning, Italy’s Alberto Razzetti made it through this time, swimming a 1:53.98 for sixth.