The biggest news coming out of the day-2 morning session at the 2012 South African Olympic Trials was the noticeable absence of the giant: Gerhard Zandberg.
The 6’8 National-Record holding backstroker is generally a 50m specialist – he’s medaled at four out of the last five World Championships meets – but is also the fastest South African ever in the 100 as well.
It was pretty-well clear that the end might be near in Shanghai. Zandberg was 31st – just behind teammate Charl Crous in 30th. That gave Crous the opening leg of the South African medley, though it was a medley that failed to final.
Crous took the top seed in his absence in 55.84. The 21-year old will be the key to a medley that should final. They’ve got one of the world’s top breaststrokers in Cameron van der Burgh, they’ve got a swimmer who should final in the 100 fly in Chad le Clos, and they’ve got a bevy of young, fearless freestylers who can bring the race home. Crous needs to at least be able to go something respectable (54-mid?) for that group to give them some help.
I think there’s a chance that Zandberg pops up again next year at Worlds when the 50m race is available to him again, but that even seems unlikely given that he’s not even attempting the 100 in this race. He turns 29 next week.
Zandberg has been a part of the free relays in the past, but isn’t entered in those races at this meet either.