Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom, with plenty of European racing options this weekend, opted to stay closer to home and swim at the 2nd stop of the Swedish Grand Prix in Stockholm this weekend in the cavernous Eriksdalsbadet pool.
That decision has paid off, as she had arguably the best in-season meet of her career: and this from a swimmer who has a lot of good in-season meets.
She started her night with a 1:55.76 in the 200 free, which has developed into her number two event. Outside of the 2012 London Olympics, that’s the fastest time of her career, and it vaults her to the top spot in the 2014 World Rankings.
2014 LCM Women 200 Free TYR World Ranking
SJOSTROM
1.55.04
| 2 | Katie LEDECKY | USA | 1.55.16 | 08/07 |
| 3 | Femke HEEMSKERK | NED | 1.55.35 | 12/12 |
| 4 | Emma McKEON | AUS | 1.55.57 | 07/24 |
| 5 | Federica PELLEGRINI | ITA | 1.55.69 | 04/11 |
Sjostrom went out marvelously in the race and was right on top of Swedish Record pace after 150 meters. She faded a bit coming home, leaving her with not a personal best, but definitely a confidence boosting time in her first big meet since the European SC Championships in December.
She would later put up another world-leading mark with a 57.21 in the 100 fly, her primary event. That’s again a lifetime best in-season, with only times from the 2009 and 2013 World Championships, plus the 2012 Olympics, surpassing it in her personal log.
She then finished her night with a 24.87 win in the 50 free. While that’s not another world leader for her, it’s still one of the ten-fastest she’s ever swum in that event personally.
Sjostrom’s performances were the class of this meet, but there’s a few other known names in attendance from the home country. Joline Hostman won the 100 breaststroke in 1:10.54 ahead of Mari Louise Tran (1:11.29). Hostman is looking to bounce back after a disappointing World Championship meet last summer.
Former SMU Mustang out of the American collegiate system Therese Svendsen took the 50 back in 29.50, besting fellow Swedish international-level swimmer Michelle Coleman (29.64).
I disagree, I think Sjostrom is one of the most versatile female sprinter and is yet to fulfill her potential in several events. If you exclude the 100fly, most of her PB’s were set in a 4 month period from Dec 2011 to Mar 2012. For the longest time, a lot of us readers were concerned at Sjostrom was unable to drop a lot of time going into major competition.
But this theory was disproved in 2013, when Sjostrom indeed dropped a lot of time in Barce. Her 100fly time was what we all expected she had in her since 2011. Her 100 free we knew was possible since 2011. Will she continue to drop time? Who knows, but… Read more »
The Swedish national team just got home from an altitude camp so they are in really good shape. I think that if Sarah Sjöström focuses more on the 100 free than the 200 free she could definetly contend for the medals at the World.Championships
I hope she does not swim 200 free in Rio. Yes, she’s a really great 200 freestylers (and 50 free as well).
However, I feel that the three high quality rounds of 200 in an Olympics takes energy that could have been saved so she’s fresh in two events where she’s definitely in the top 2: 100 free/fly.
In Barcelona she swam 50/100/200 free and 100 fly. She did great in both 100 free and fly, but she should know that Vollmer had injury.
Her 50 and 200 free are great, but they are not really in top 3 level. Also, she did a step in the right direction by dropping 50 fly which she swam in… Read more »
Her only olympic gold medal chance is in the 100 fly.
100 free. Cate Campbell is unbeatable.
200 free. Allison Schmitt is back. Missy Franklin is already world champion and her freestyle continues to improve. And Federica Pellegrini will be a major force as well.
I agree she should focus on the 100 fly/100 free double.
I’m confident Sarah Sjöström can make right decisions since she has recognised this issue of recovery between events before. In Barcelona she dropped 50m fly partly due to being aware of that she can’t swim everything.
All-in-wonder girl… three great marks in a day!