Mie Nielsen tied a Danish national record during a time trial at the end of day one at the 2015 Duel in the Pool.
Nielsen swam a very swift 26.39 50m backstroke in order to match her performance from the 2014 short course World Championships in Doha.
The time ties her as the fourth fastest swimmer this season in the event with Britain’s Elizabeth Simmonds. The only swimmers who have been faster this year are Katinka Hosszu, Aleksandra Urbancyzk, and Emily Seebohm.
2015-2016 SCM Women 50 Back
BAUMRTOVA
25.55*relay
| 2 | Aleksandra URBANCZYK | POL | 26.03 | 12/17 |
| 3 | Katinka HOSSZU | HUN | 26.13 | 12/05 |
| 4 | Georgia DAVIES | GBR | 26.24 | 12/19 |
| 5 | Emily SEEBOHM | AUS | 26.30 | 11/25 |
Nielsen’s record came after putting up a sixth place performance in the 100m freestyle with a time of 53.46. That time was about half of a second shy of her personal best time of 52.93 that she set last year.
She was out in a 25.58 and came back in a 27.88 to touch the wall behind American sprinter Margo Geer.
The 100m backstroke will take place tomorrow where Nielsen is a top contender. Her personal best time of 55.99 from 2013 ranks her as the seventh best performer of all time in the event.
She’ll likely have to compete against Katinka Hosszu, who has the top ranked swim of all time with a 55.03.
With the European squad trailing the Americans in points, it could be a crucial race.