Q! CUP
- April 15-16, 2023
- Heidelberg, Germany
- Long Course Meters (50m), Prelims/Finals
- Meet Central
- Meet Results
There were no World Championship qualifying times (or National Records) on day 2 of the Heidelberg Q! Cup on Sunday, but Luca Armbruster showed more promise and progress in the 100 fly, among others who crept toward Fukuoka bids.
After tying the German Record in the 50 fly on Saturday, Armbruster swam a new personal best in the 100 fly on Sunday. His 52.22 knocked three-tenths off his previous personal best of 52.54 set at the 2019 European Junior Championships (as did his prelims swim on Sunday of 52.53, incidentally).
“It shows that we’re on the right track,” said the 21-year-old in a poolside interview. “I’ve fought so much in the last few years since the (Euro Juniors) and also had times when I really struggled.”
Armbruster was a 2019 European Juniors medalist and German Age Group Record holder, but has stalled out in the last few years – until this week, where he swam best times in the 50 fly (23.02), 100 fly (52.22), and 100 free (49.11).
Swimmers in Heidelberg this week are building up to next week’s Berlin Swim Open, which will be the last chance in a three-week German qualification period to hit standards for Fukuoka.
Marek Ulrich won the 100 back on Sunday in Heidelberg in 54.19; he was hoping for a little faster ahead of next week’s big test.
“I thought it would be a little quicker. But maybe I’m just missing a little rest.”
His best time is 53.54, and next week he’ll be battling Ole Braunschweig for the top spot in Fukuoka. With nobody prequalified based on Worlds results last year, both positions are open – and they’ll have to swim 53.74 in Berlin to grab one.