American Vollmer; van der Burgh Break World Records on Day 2 (RECAP)

Day 2 was crazy. There were two World Records, a European Record, and plenty of major upsets to be had. It was a repeat of day 1’s chaos, only twice as big.

The expectation is that things should settle in on day 3 a bit, but for now we got one more day of the roller-coaster.

PDF Results, including splits, here.
Live video stream here. (US only).

Women’s 100 Butterfly Final

So much for no more World Records. For the 2nd time in two nights, a World Record swim has gone down in the London Aquatics Centre, as American Dana Vollmer took down the World Record, and in the process became the first woman in history to go under 56 seconds. Vollmer marked a 55.98, which took down the old record of 56.06, set by Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom in 2009 (as just a 15-year old).

Vollmer had a brave swim. As we discussed in our session preview, from prelims to the semi-finals, her first 50 got faster, but her overall time got slower. She made the logical decision, and pulled up ever-so-slightly on the first 50 meters. She turned in 3rd in a 26.39; still very fast, but three-tenths slower than she was on Saturday. The decision paid off though, as Vollmer had more-than-enough on the back-half to overcome Jeanette Ottesen and Claire Donahue. (Aside: Vollmer lost her cap in this swim, and still broke the record).

In fact, it was all of the back-half swimmers who roared home in this race. China’s Ying Lu (turned 4th) took the silver in 56.87, and Australia’s Alicia Coutts (turned last) took bronze in 56.94.

The former World Record holder, and another great back-half swimmer, Sarah Sjostrom finished 4th: the same position in which she was in at the World Championships. Aside from a swapping of positions between Coots and Lu, this was the same top 4 we saw last year in Shanghai.

A newcomer to the field was Italy’s Ilaria Bianchi. She swam a 57.27 for 5th, which broke the Italian Record for the 2nd straight round. She’s now cut a full second off of her National best coming into this meet.

Ottesen, a 50 specialist who led at the turn, was 6th in 57.35, followed by the American Claire Donahue (57.48) and the home country’s Ellen Gandy in 57.76.

Men’s 200 Free – Semifinals

Another sort of ho-hum race in this men’s 200 free, just like we saw in the prelims. China’s Sun Yang turned even with Tae-Hwan Park at the 150 meter mark in heat 2 (just like they did in the 400 final), which is nearly an automatic Yang victory. Victory he got, with a 1:45.61, still looking fairly easy. The two heat winners, Paul Biedermann (1:46.10) and Yang have the advantage of not needing to worry about a relay final.

That’s as compared to their seconds: France’s Yannick Agnel (1:45.84) and American Ryan Lochte (1:46.31), who must quickly cool down and prepare for the 400 free relay that will end the session. For Lochte, that’s about two seconds off of where he’s expected to be, so clearly didn’t use too much energy.

Danila Izotov, another relay swimmer, tied with hometown swimmer Robbie Renwick of Great Britain tied for 6th in 1:46.65, and Thomas Fraser-Holmes was the last qualifier in 1:46.80.

American Ricky Berens was better than he was in the prelims, but his 1:46.87 still wasn’t quite good enough as he finished 9th.

Women’s 100 Breast – Semis

Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte, with visible confidence and the crowd suddenly behind her, is the real deal. She backed up her prelims swim with a new European Record of 1:05.21, breaking a 1:05.41 set by Russia’s Yuliya Efimova in the 2009 at 1:05.41.

Meilutyte again went out very hard, splitting a 30.55 in the opening 50. Even with speed-burners like Efimova and Australian Leisel Jones on either side of her, she had a clear advantage at the turn. She holds on well, and only with about 7 or 8 meters to go does she show even small signs of fatigue.

This puts a lot of pressure on American Rebecca Soni, winner of heat 1 and 2nd overall, who swam a 1:05.75. She was better at Worlds last year than Meilutyte was here, but she will have more than a second deficit to make up at the turn, unless she makes a drastic change. The 1.2 seconds that Meilutyte was ahead today equates to roughly 1.8 meters.

But Soni is certainly capable of that speed – as one of our readers points out, she opened in 30.7 at Worlds last year. We’ll have to see if she’s willing to attack.

Efimova will sit 3rd overall in 1:06.51, which is a better swim than we’ve seen from the Russian women in this meet so far.American Breeja Larson used her outstanding pullouts to get off of the blocks fast and take the 4th spot in 1:06.58. The NCAA Champion swims very similarly to another Texas A&M Aggie, and NCAA Champion, Alia Atkinson of Jamaica.

The two were at the lead of their heat after the first few strokes, but Atkinson’s final result wasn’t as good. She will be forced into a swimoff, which will have epic intensity at this level, with Canada’s Tera van Beilen, as the two tied in 1:07.48.

Other finalists, that are for sure, will be Leisel Jones in 1:06.81, Denmark’s Rikke Moeller-Pedersen in 1:06.82, and Satomi Suzuki in 1:07.10.

Women’s 100 Breast – SWIMOFF

Jamaica’s Alia Atkinson, one of the most powerful breaststrokers in the world, had no trouble in the swimoff, and was actually faster than the first try with a 1:06.79. She’ll still be the 8th seed in an outside lane in the final, though. Van Beilen swam a 1:07.73, and will now begin to prepare for the 200.

Men’s 100 Breast – Finals

This race was the meet’s 5th individual final. In all 5 of those finals to this point, we’ve seen an Olympic Record, and in three of them, we’ve seen a World Record. For all of the talk about suits, though in 2008 they weren’t quite as bad as in 2009, we’re ahead of pace from the last Olympics, where at this point there were 3 World Records and just 4 Olympic Records.

Number three came to Cameron van der Burgh in 58.46. That broke the 58.58 World Record held by Australia’s Brenton Rickard from 2009. It also took down his own Olympic Record, set in Saturday’s semifinals.

Van der Burgh already held the 50 record, so it’s no surprise that he was first at the turn. But Australia’s Christian Sprenger, who is the 200 World Record holder, was only 6-tenths behind, so it wasn’t a gap out-of-reach. But van der Burgh, through intentional focus, has improved his endurance in the last year since the World Championships, and that paid off as he only gave up two-tenths on the back-half.

Sprenger finished 2nd in 58.93, moving him to 7th all-time and only the 4th man under 59 seconds in textile.

The bronze medal went to American Brendan Hansen in 59.49. Were it not for a stumble in 2008, he could have been the first man to medal in the breaststrokes in three straight Olympics.

Hungary’s Daniel Gyurta was 4th in 59.53, which is another National Record. Between that swim, and Kitajima’s poor performance here (5th in 59.79), he has to become a huge favorite in the 200 breaststroke.

Brenton Rickard placed 6th in 59.87, Italy’s Fabio Scozzoli was 7th in 59.97, and Giedrius Titenis from Lithuania was the only swimmer above a minute in 1:00.84.

 

Women’s 400 Free – Finals

This was supposed to be one of the great races of the meet. Ultimately, it was a very good race between France’s Camille Muffat and the United States’ Allison Schmitt, but it didn’t quite have the depth and chaos that was expected. Muffat swam a fairly traditional race, to the contrary of what we’ve seen from her over the past few months. The result was the same, though, demonstrating that she can swim this race however she wants to, as she took gold in an Olympic Record of 4:01.45.

Even against the hard-starting Schmitt, Muffat led this race wire-to-wire, going out in a 1:59.50 and coming home in a 2:01.95. That’s as compared to Schmitt’s 1:59.88-2:01.89 to take silver in a new American Record of4:01.77.

The hometown swimmer Rebecca Adlington, swimming out of lane 8, took bronze in 4:03.01. That just barely missed becoming the host nation’s first medalist of the games to a cyclist earlier in the day, but it did score their first swimming medal. As the defending champion, however, she was hoping for a better time.

Denmark’s Lotte Friis took 4th in 4:03.98.

The defending World Champion Federika Pellegrini of Italy got pulled out of her race. She’s used to starting a bit slower and coming home faster, however here she split 2:00.62-2:03.88 to touch in 4:04.50 for 5th. She was followed by Coralie Balmy of France, who had a good start, in 4:05.95 for 6th; Canada’s Brittany MacLean in 7th in 4:06.24, and Lauren Boyle 8th in 4:06.25. Those three all were faster in the prelims.

Men’s 100 Back – Semi’s

American Matt Grevers continued to be far-and-away the class of this 100 backstroke field, with a 52.66 to take the top seed headed into finals. He’s already far ahead of where he was in the semi’s at the Olympic Trials, and even with France’s Camille Lacourt lurking, he’ll be a heavy favorite in Monday’s final.

Lacour was 2nd in 53.03, with Britain’s Liam Tancock swimming as well as we’ve seen in the last two years with a 53.25 for 3rd. Tancock had some tough swims since British Trials, but his plans seem to be coming together at the right moment.

Japan’s Ryosuke Irie, who took bronze at the World Championships, was 4th in 53.29. American Nick Thoman continued to slow-play the early rounds (a game he’s fond of) and put in a 53.47.

China’s Feiyi Chang was 6th in 53.50, Germany’s Helge Meeuw 7th in 53.52, and Australia’s Hayden Stoeckel 8th in 53.74.

Russia’s Arkady Vyatchanin, who has been training in Florida with Gregg Troy, just missed with a 53.79 for 9th.

Women’s 100 Back – Semi’s

Emily Seebohm wasn’t able to match her lightning-quick Olympic Record in prelims, but there still wasn’t anybody near her in this semi-final as she swam a 58.39 to take lane 4 for finals.

Missy Franklin dropped a couple of tenths to remain in the second position in 59.12. Her turn was again outstanding, but she still has to figure out some way to make even a small improvement on her start if she wants the gold medal over Seebohm.

Japan’s Aya Terakawa took 3rd in 59.34, followed by China’s Jing Zhao (59.55), Russia’s Anastasia Zueva (59.68), and Britain’s World Record holder Gemma Spofforth (59.70). That’s Spofforth’s best time since 2010, after a struggle of a season in 2011.

Australia’s Belinda Hocking and China’s Yuanhui Fu were 7th and 8th, all under a minute, to give their respective countries two entries in the final.

Canada’s Julia Wilkinson had tough luck in 9th place with a 59.91; her teammate Sinead Russell was 16th in 1:00.57, still bothered by a hip injury suffered in June. The second American, Rachel Bootsma, was 11th in 1:00.04.

Men’s 400 Free Relay – Final

On July 29th, 2012, Jason Lezak became a verb. The swimming community was abuzz that the Americans got Lezak’ed on this 400 free relay.  Despite a great swim from Clement Lefert (the unsung hero of the French relay), Yannick Agnel hit the water half-a-second behind Ryan Lochte. In an eerily similar fashion to how Lezak swam against Alain Bernard of France in this same relay in 2008, Agnel, drafted on the powerful wake of Lochte, and then exploded from the final turn to carry the French to a win in 3:09.93. That is France’s first ever relay gold.

The Americans touched in 3:10.38, with Agnel’s amazing split of 46.74 bettering Lochte’s 47.74 by exactly a second.

Both relays swam very well. As mentioned, Lefert had a very good time of 47.39; speed that not many expected from him. He was matched on the third leg by American Cullen Jones, who again did his part on the relay with a 47.6. Nathan Adrian led off the US in 47.8, and Michael Phelps showed the swimming community a lot about his ability to bounce back with a 47.1.

A team that did not swim well, however, was Australia. Coming in as a favorite for gold, and a near-lock for a medal of any color, they placed 4th in 3:11.63. Their two big pieces of James Magnussen (48.03) and James Roberts (48.09) bookended the squad in thoroughly disappointing splits. Matt Targett and Eamon Sullivan were better in the middle, but they couldn’t carry the relay.

Lost in the excitement and disappointment of those three squads was the Russians, who took a bronze medal in 3:11.41. That gave them their first medal in this event since 1996 and the days of legend Alexander Popov. While this group doesn’t seem to have anybody like him in their midst, they made some big sacrifices and were rewarded with a medal. The best swim was by Nikita Lobintsev, who was a 47.4 on the 2nd leg.

The South Africans took 5th, followed by Germany, Italy, and surprise finalists Belgium. Notable splits come in a pair of 47.9’s from Marco di Carli and Markus Deibler of Germany, both on rolling starts.

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11 years ago

Allison Schmitt facebook page; filled with latest results and pictures: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Allison-Schmitt/371448396259812

Fenster
11 years ago

You are right aswimfan, it has worked out very well for him. I always thought his stroke seemed more naturally suited to 400 rather than 200, and I never thought he’d be this swift in the 100..

john26
11 years ago

In case no one is keeping score, Agnel just became the favorite for the 100freestyle, and by virtue also the 200free. That final lap was utterly overwhelming and there’s a good chance he could be under 47.5. I don’t see Lochte beating Agnel tomorrow and I feel that Sun probably has the bronze if he an swim a smart race.

I was extremely disappointed to see Magnussen bomb out like that especially since i believed he had the _stuff_ of Thorpe, Popov, Phelps and co. His bounce-back from this will be one of the most interesting story line of the meet for me, as I TRULY believe that he has the WR within his ability.

However, breaking that record… Read more »

aswimfan
Reply to  john26
11 years ago

Thankfully I have Agnel as my pick for gold in 200 free, although I got him for bronze in 100, which should now be upgraded.

But let’s see.

aswimfan
Reply to  john26
11 years ago

And I am glad to be vindicated what I said all along: dropping 400 was the best and wisest decision Agnel ever made.

Fenster
Reply to  john26
11 years ago

The 200 is going to be an epic race!

I agree with you, how Magnussen backs up from this is an intriguing story. Can he redeem his disappointment a la Bernard? It will be a true test of character.

As another post alluded to – Brant Best’s squad aren’t having a great performance here, especially after how well they performed at trials. Magnussen claimed he was stinging at the 50m mark and knew the last 50 was going to be a lot harder than usual, which is concerning to hear. It looks like he lost a bit of the easy speed we are accustomed to seeing. Trying to muscle his swims doesn’t work well for him…

john26
Reply to  Fenster
11 years ago

He also said he felt the morning swim was the easiest 47.3 in months
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/london-olympics/australian-christian-sprenger-snatches-silver-in-100m-breaststroke/story-fn9dheyx-1226438203453

This is hope to draw on for that he is still the #1 100freestyler in the world. Although, his aura has dramatically faded in light of tonight’s action. The time Magnussen swam tonight will probably not even place in the top 5, and I hope that there is mental coaching on to allow him to come back strong.

Make no mistake, this relay will be unbeatable next summer (like this year), but that is completely irrelevant.

In light of the quote from that page, I think Magnussen sitll has to get it, but it will be… Read more »

Philip Johnson
Reply to  john26
11 years ago

i thought they were already unbeatable? lol. you gotta give credit to Adrian though. His time of 48.10 at trials was a full second what Magussen swam at his trials. he wasn’t intimated though and just stepped up to the blocks & raced. Magussen, in the eyes of many, is now vulnerable. Agnel looked very good & will give him a run for his money.

Ole 99
11 years ago

Based on how Agnel, Lefert and Leveaux are swimming, The men’s 4 x 200 Free relay is looking like its going to be a lot closer than one might have thought a few weeks ago.

gosharks
11 years ago

Why doesn’t Team USA have a uniform suit? Everyone is wearing different things. Soni and Shanteau are in crazy colors. I loved the 2008 suits.

Brian
Reply to  gosharks
11 years ago

Good question. Soni had the same color Carbon Pro (White/Red lined) as one of the Frenchmen.

I guess with all the variations there was never a real “National” suit created.

aswimfan
11 years ago

@Rafael:

Kirsty Coventry, 2004 Athens: 200 back (gold), 100 back (silver), 200 Im (bronze)

there you go for a swimmer with 3 individual medals of each color.

Paella747
Reply to  aswimfan
11 years ago

Summer Sanders Barcelona ’92:
Gold- 200 fly
Silver- 200 IM
Bronze- 400 IM

Another swimmer with 3 individual medals of each color……

Paella747
Reply to  Paella747
11 years ago

I guess I should say “3 individual medals of a different color”. Otherwise, it sounds like she won 9 individual medals. 🙂

aswimfan
Reply to  Paella747
11 years ago

You are right. grammar is not my best virtue.

aswimfan
11 years ago

He’s not going to win 100 free gold while training multi events and multi distance.

But he will un-retire in 2014 to swim 100 free/fly events and 200 fly, and ready for Rio.

Gonzaga
Reply to  aswimfan
11 years ago

+1
this is what I have thought for sometime

Reply to  aswimfan
11 years ago

maybe take another crack at the 4im? because he didn’t do it justice in london ie, he definitely could have gone faster.

aswimfan
Reply to  Michael Lin
11 years ago

No way he’s going to swim 4Im ever again, even if he unretires.

s gomez
Reply to  aswimfan
11 years ago

he shouldnt have swam it this year. cocky move that proved to set the tone for the rest of the games. idk why they (mike and bob) made that decesion

Jg
11 years ago

I have not seen the Oz media & refuse to after their treatment of Liesel Jones.

Regarding Magnussen -I noticed that his squad mate was almost 10 secs behind his trials time in the 400 im . That was not a good sign for Brant Bests squad .

I started having some doubts .

However I am more of a fan of the girls & this has not changed my opinion . I was hoping to admire the men a bit more but not on this outing yet. Christian did well but then again he trains with the girls.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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