On the final session of the Mare Nostrum Tour in Canet Jeanette Ottesen Gray swam a blazing 25.56 to win the women’s 50 butterfly by over half a second. Ottesen Gray’s time of is 13 one-hundredths of a second faster than her season’s best 25.69, which she posted in Monaco a week ago.
Melanie Henqiue finished second in a time of 26.16, which is a season’s best. She was followed by Ingvild Snildal who finished third in a time of 26.34.
Rikke Moeller Pedersen broke the Danish National record on her way to winning the women’s 100 breaststroke. Pedersen recorded a time of 1:06.05 which is 33 one-hundredths of a second faster than the previous Danish record of 1:06.38 which she set in 2009. She had been close to breaking the record earlier this year when she posted a time of 1:06.40 at the Danish Open in March.
Pedersen’s 1:06.40 had been the world’s leading time up until a week ago when Ruta Meilutyte posted a European record time of 1:05.20 in Monaco.
Viktoriya Solvceva finished second in a time of 1:07.51 followed by Marina Garcia who finished third in a time of 1:08.16.
Chad le Clos took the men’s 200 butterfly in a season’s best time of 1:55.40, which is also the second fastest time done in the world this year. Grant Irvine posted a 1:55.32 in April at the Australian National Championships, which is currently the world’s best.
Chad Le Clos, 200 Butterfly Olympic Gold Medalist, on the 2012 FINA Arena World Cup Series (Photo Credit: Mattia D’ Alberto / Lapresse)
Bence Biczo finished second recording a time of 1:56.66 followed by Daiya Seto who finished third in a time of 1:56.73.
Jeanette Ottesen Gray put together another very strong performance in the women’s 100 freestyle winning the event in a season’s best time of 54.01 beating out fellow countrywoman Pernille Blume by almost a full second. Blume finished second in the event posting a time of 54.92 followed by Hanna Maria Seppala who finished third recording a time of 55.19.
In the men’s 100 freestyle Jeremy Stravius took the event in a season’s best time of 48.53. He was followed by Hanser Hernandez Garcia who posted a 48.82 and Shinri Shioura who finished third in a time of 49.46.
Katinka Hosszu was up to her old tricks winning two of the most challenging races of the evening, the 200 backstroke and 200 butterfly. Hosszu won the backstroke in a time of 2:09.76 she followed by Daryna Zevina who posted a 2:10.59 and Duane Da Rocha who recorded a time of 2:10.80 to finish third.
The 200 buttefly win was hard fought as she was challenged by Franziska Hentke. Hosszu took the event in a time of 2:08.41 followed by Hentke who touched in a time of 2:08.93. Martina Van Berkel finished third in a time of 2:11.58.
Cameron van der Burgh took the men’s 100 breaststroke in a season’s best time of 1:00.41 followed by Felipe Lima who posted a time of 1:00.81 to finish second. Glenn Snyders finished third in a time of 1:01.45.
Aya Terakawa won the women’s 50 backstroke in a time of 27.82, which is off her season’s best of 27.51 that is currently the second fastest time in the world this year. Mercedes Peris finished second in a season’s best time of 27.92 followed by Etiene Medeiros who finished third recording a time of 28.70.
Roland Schoeman took the men’s 50 butterfly in a time of 23.32 followed by Romain Sassot who finished second in a time of 24.03. Riku Poytakini finished third in a time of 24.25.
Gerhard Zandberg won the men’s 50 backstroke in a time of 25.22 followed by Jonatan Kopelev who finished second in a time of 25.53. Aschwin Wildeboer finished third in a time of 25.59.
Gareth Kean took the men’s 200 backstroke in a time of 1:59.12 followed by Benjamin Stasiulis who finished second recording a time of 1:59.79 and Yannick Lebherz finishing third touching in a time of 1:59.87.
Melanie Costa won the women’s 400 freestyle in a time of 4:07.59 followed by Zhang Wenqing who finished second in a time of 4:10.35 and Samantha Lucie Smith who finished third in a time of 4:12.41.
In the final event of the Mare Nostrum Tour Ayatsugu Hirai took the men’s 1500 freestyle in a time of 15:02.51. He was followed by Sergiy Frolov who recorded a time of 15:13.58 and Anthony Pannier who posted a time of 15:16.77.
Remember that MP isn’t around anymore – and that I don’t think Cullen Jones seems to be as great shape as he was last year. The French lose Lefert, the Americans gain a faster Adrian – but I think the French still pull out in front with Stravius back in form and Manaudou’s potential.
The 4×100 is going to be an amazing race. The Russians are going to be right in there and of course the Aussies as well.
Minor correction, Pedersen broke her Danish 100 breast record in the Barcelona Mare Nostrum on Wednesday with a 1:06:20 before improving it again today. She also broke the Danish 50 breast record on Tuesday so that’s three PBs in a week.
The French swimmers are in awesome form at the moment, Stravius looked very impressive, perhaps a certain M. Agnel will not be as badly missed as expected.
I can tell you France will badly miss Mr Agnel on individual in Barcelona. A gold medal in the 200 free was sure. Fortunately for my country, he will be there for the relays.
Apologies Bobo if it seemed like I was making light of the Agnel situation, losing such a talent would be a devastating loss for any country.I was just trying to find a silver lining in the excellent form of the other French swimmers. I’m very much looking forward to following their progress in Barcelona.
Can´t still understand WHY agnel dropper the individuals..
me too.
Agnel is big favorite to win 200 free and a medal contender for 100 free.
Cant understand his motive.
As of now, the french is the favorite to win men 4×100 free, ahead of the aussies.
US trials may change that.
US trials may change that? I don’t think so.
US trials are a nice indicator of potential, of course, but one should remember that US athletes have a habit of overperforming in big meetings. This concerns especially relays.
Always very impressive RMP on breaststroke with a big new PB!
Great double for JOG in the 50 fly and in the 100 free.
The Danish girls look great.
And as expected, Jérémy Stravius has responded to Florent Manaudou. 48.53 vs 48.41. Both untapered. Really promising for the relay. Best relay composition to win in Barcelona is at the moment in my opinion Florent Manaudou, Jérémy Stravius, William Meynard and Yannick Agnel.
I would like to see Hanser race.. last year untapered he was going 49 mid high.. if this 48 mid high is untapered and just because he adjusted his turn/start a 47 mid would not be impossible..
I have watched the race and from what I can remember, Garcia was with Stravius until the 75 meters and then Stravius has gone.
Considering his last 50 is his strong when tapered..
It seems France is able to build up a fair quartet even without Agnel. I’m not sure if you have already seen the fight between Agnel and Stravius at French Nationals but here is it anyway:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1j-VEbqL_U
Check the first comment. It is so true. Stravius really has managed to embrace an American dolphin kicks which helps him a lot, just as they have helped Phelps and Lochte many times before.
I agree with the Danish women. They descended themselves from a training camp in the mountains and an easing begin to have its effect on them quicly. Looking very good.
Yannick Agnel was sick during the French nationals.
And the French relays would have no chance to win without him.
I am writing too fast. A Correction: I agree with you, Bobo Gigi, about the Danish Women. My English is only what I’ve learned from school so my writings may be full of bad mistakes that go unnoticeable. Apologies for them.
No problem. And your English seems much better than mine.