(Editor’s Note: The two World Records were originally posted as two separate posts. They have now been combined into a single article.)
In her first meet back, Janet Evans, who announced in the AP yesterday that she was attempting to qualify for the Olympics in 2012, broke a Masters World Record in the women’s 400m freestyle at today’s Janet Evans Invitational.
Her time of 4:23.89 crushed the old mark that had stood since November 8th, 1997. It was then set by American Karlyn Pipes-Neilsen at 4:28.24. For Evans, who was the best 400 freestyler in the world from about ages 17 through 25, setting an age group world record from 40-44 is almost expected
It’s only her first meet back to competition, but the time, while phenomenal for a swimmer her age, won’t even rank her in the top 200 in the world. After 15-years out of the pool, followed by only 8-months back in heavy training, Evans knows that it’s going to take every bit of the year she has left before she has to attempt to qualify for the Olympics. The time is short of the Olympic Trials qualifying standard of 4:19.39.
Evans also broke the 40-44 800 free World Record in her second swim back. Her time of 8:59.06 was just under her goal time of nine minutes. Even more impressively, she did so swimming in a race by herself. That gives her clean water, but also adds some challenge to her pacing.
That time ranks her 40th in the United States in 2011, and is short of qualifying her for either the Olympic Trials or this summer’s summer National Championships, which is her 2011 goal race.
The old record in the 800 was held by Pipes-Nielsen, who is all over the Masters Record Books, in 9:24.77.
(Edit: Just like everyone else, we goofed in our interpretation of the FINA age rules as compared to the USA Swimming age rules. FINA rules put Evans in the 40-44 age group, as she turns 40 later this year, even though she’s only 39. Thanks to John B. for pointing out our error).
Evans was scheduled to compete in both the 200 free and 200 back as well, but scratched (likely as a result of the meet being condensed from two days to one day).