Even with much of the Dutch elite contingent not at the meet, especially the women’s sprint freestylers, veteran Femke Heemskerk gave plenty of reason for the world to sit up and take notice of the Sunday finals session on the last day of the 2013 Dutch Open on Sunday.
That’s because in the first women’s final of the meet’s last day, she put up a 53.88 to win the women’s 100 free. That time improves upon her already 6th-in-the-world ranking, and is within three tenths of her lifetime best in the event.
Maud van de Meer, who is in a bit of a make-or-break point of her career as she tries to turn the corner and become the next good Dutch sprinter, was 2nd in 55.01, and Inge Dekker took 3rd in 55.42.
In the men’s 100 free, 16-year old Kyle Stolk swam a 50.27 for the win, which just misses his lifetime best. He’s the most promising junior sprint talent in the Netherlands arguably since Pieter van den Hoogenband.
Sebastiaan Verschuren is the reigning top Dutch sprinter (and has been for many years) was at the meet Sunday, but didn’t swim that 100 free. He instead changed up his schedule and swam the 100 backstroke, which he won in 57.39. That’s .01 ahead of Laurent Bams.
Other winners on the day include Mike Marrisen, who’s having a great meet, adding his 3rd win in the men’s 50 fly with a 24.40; Inge Dekker taking the 50 fly in 26.18; and 16-year old Maaike de Waard topping a very young field in the women’s 100 backstroke with a 1:02.46.
Last year’s Olympics now looks like to be the end of Dutchwomen domination in sprint relay.
While Ranomi and Femke are still swimming fast, Inge Dekker seem to be swimming slower and slower and Marleen is not getting younger and has not swum at all this year (has she reitred?).
With the Campbell sisters in top shape, Australia looks formidable on paper. Only a dramatic collapse a la the Australian men at London will stop them winning gold.
The Netherlands have dropped back since the Olympics, and will likely get second or perhaps third behind the Americans. Yes, Veldhuis has retired, and Maud van de Meer appears decent but isn’t setting the world on fire.
Yep, Australia seems unstoppable for now but the legacy of Netherlands, namely their WR, seems to be out of reach too.