Special thanks to our Brazilian correspondent, D’artangan Dias for contributing to this report
Aside from the big meet that went on this weekend, which was the conclusion of the Mare Nostrum series in Monaco, this past weekend was a big competition weekend for many of the world’s biggest stars. The size of their stages, hosever, did not limit the size for their swims.
Cesar Cielo
At the Rio de Janeiro State Championships, Cesar Cielo broke out some impressive times in less-than-ideal conditions. With rainy weather and the relative cold at the outdoor Julio Delmare complex, Cielo swam a 22.28 50 free (among the top 40 times swum in the world this year); a 23.55 50 fly (only a few tenths off of his season-best), and a 49.57 100 free.
Among those marks, perhaps on the 50 fly is impressive, until you consider the level of training Cielo is currently partaking in. Reports out of Brazil are that Cielo was sitting through weights sessions in between RACES. Though he didn’t hit his goals at the Maria Lenk/Brazilian Nationals a few weeks ago, he’s clearly motivated to make sure he’s adjusted to his new training environment and yardage with his PRO-16 club. He’s swimming fairly well in-season, and is putting in twice the yardage he did while in Auburn. It could blow up in his face, but it could be spectacular.
As for the 50 fly, the Brazilian Blog bestswimming.com.br has confirmed that he will be swimming it at World’s, despite it falling on the same day as the 400 free relay that the Brazilians are hoping for a positive finish in.
Ranomi Kromowidjojo/Marleen Veldhuis
While part of the dutch sprinting group was in Monaco for the Mare Nostrum, Marleen Veldhuis and Ranomi Kromowidjojo were burning up the water at the Dutch Swimming Championships in Eindhoven. The races were a serious juxtaposition of age, with Kromowidjojo only 20, and Veldhuis at 30. Veldhuis shocked the natatorium by upsetting Kromowidjojo, who is the fastest sprinter in the world right now, in 24.66. Kromowidjojo was just behind in 24.74. That gives them the 6th and 11th fastest swims in the world this year, respectively.
So surprising was the upset that even the meet announcer tried to proclaim the younger “Kranomi” as the winner. His initial announcement was “Rano….no…Marleen Veldhuis!” was the winner.
Veldhuis said after the race that she was very happy with her result and that she felt like she had made a major move in training since the Eindhoven Swim Cup in April. Her daughter Hannah just turned one on June 2nd (Happy Birthday, Hannah!)
Southwest Classic
The Southwest Classic in Tucson, which was heavily attended by Arizona/Tucson Ford swimmers, as well as parts of an Australian group that had spent time in altitude training in Mexico. Not many swimmers put a lot of focus on this meet, as most of the group will likely be up the coast in Santa Clara next weekend for the Grand Prix.
Among the more interesting finishes was 2010 NCAA champ Annie Chandler (1:09.98) ahead of Tucson Ford teammate Amanda Beard (1:10.62). Beard, however, would come back to crush the field in the 200 breaststroke in 2:32.92.
In the women’s 100 fly, Christine Magnuson beat out Aussie Emily Seebohm 59.55-59.61. The versatile, and young, Seebohm has been working on recovering from a scary incident at Australian Nationals where she passed out (presumably as the after-effects of a case of swine flu she had recently recovered from) after only one race: a runner-up finish in the 100 backstroke. On limited training, the fact that she only has one individual event to swim at World’s might work in her favor, as her conditioning could be hindered. At the end of this month, she will try and qualify for some Aussie relays at their special Relay Trials.
Seebohm also swam a 1:01.35 to win the women’s 100 backstroke.
My Mistake! I mean LAST year,not next year.
Anyone knows If santa clara GP will have live video transmission?
Yep, on USASwimming.org. We’ll also try to get the feed embedded in our side bar.
I can be wrong, but i believe Cielo will be a lot faster in Paris Open than his 49.2 from next year.
And, yeah, except from saturday, all guys from PRO16 were doing weights in the morning and swimming in the afternoon.That´s explain a lot of 51´s from guys that always swimming around 49 mid-low like Dos Santos.