…Chilean star Kristel Kobrich has decided to pull out of the open water 10km swim at this summer’s Olympics to focus on a medal in the 800 free. She tried the double in 2008, and after recording the only “Did Not Finish” of the open water swim, she went on to a dreadful finish in the 800 that left her 9 seconds away from making the finals (8:34). Kobrich specializes in the 1500, which is not an Olympic event, but will have to come down to medal this year. She was 9th in the 800 at last year’s World Championships. The only woman publicly going after the pool-open water combo in 2012 is Spain’s Erika Villaecija; it’s become a significantly easier to pull off this summer, as there’s now 5 days off between the distance finals and the open water swims as compared to 3…
…The German Olympic Trials kick off Thursday in Berlin and run through Monday. This will be the Germans only chance to qualify for the Olympics (though they’ve said they might make an exception in the case of Henrik Feldwehr’s injury, if two breaststrokers don’t already qualify). Start Lists are available here, and live results will go up here. The stars are Paul Biedermann, and Britta Steffen, but there are a lot of good storylines to explore. Can the Deibler brothers finally break through and become among the world’s best? Can 27-year old Marco di Carli, who had a huge breakout season in 2011, keep up with the next generation of international sprinters that are much younger than him? Will we see the Helge Meeuw that placed 2nd at the 2009 World Championships or the one who can disappear and become almost nonexistent? And perhaps most importantly for German fans, who is going to step up in Feldwehr’s stead as they try to defend their bronze medal in the medley relay from Worlds last year?…
…At the 2012 UK School Games, Charlie Atwood, representing South England, won in 1:06.86. That not only bested his elder competitors, but broke an eight-year old 14-and-under English Record in the race held by Max Partridge. Other impressive swims at the meet include a 53.63 from 14-year old Daniel Speers in the 100 free; a 1:57.38 from 14-year old Martyn Walton to win the boy’s 200 free; and a 26.97 from 14-year old Linda Shaw in the girls’ 50 freestyle. Those times would all rank at-or-near the top of their respective age groups in USA Swimming as well. This event in London is the first multi-sport event to make large-scale use of the Olympic Park. Full swimming results available here….
Cecilia Biaggioli, from Argentina, is also qualified and will swim both events in London. She finished 5th at 10 K in Shanghai Worlds and recently made the A cut for the 800 free at Brazilian Nationals in Rio.