2016 X INTERNATIONAL VLADIMIR SALNIKOV CUP
- Friday, December 16th – Saturday, December 17th
- Swimming Centre, St. Petersburg
- 25m
- Prelims 10am local/Finals 5pm local
- Start Lists/Results
Entering its 10th consecutive year, the International Vladimir Salnikov Cup kicks off in St. Petersburg, Russia tomorrow. A record number of Russian athletes are set to be among the estimated 340 total athletes set to take to the short course pool in pursuit of best times and prize money. Overall female and male winners receive 300,000R (~$5,000) each, giving incentive to challenge in multiple events across the two-day affair.
Although listed as a marquee competitor in the program, 2016 World Short Course Championships finalist Vladimir Morozov appears on the start lists in just one event, the men’s 50m freestyle sprint. Morozov scored a silver in the splash n’ dash while competing in Windsor, while he also notched a silver in the 100m breaststroke. He was part of the Russian relay sweep which claimed golds across the 4x100m freestyle, 4x50m freestyle and 4x50m medley relay as well.
Evgeny Rylov and Andrei Shabasov are also slated to make appearances in St. Petersburg. Rylov, the Olympic bronze medalist in the men’s 200m backstroke in Rio, is set to compete in just the 100m distance at this meet, while Shabasov is set to race both the 100m and 50m back. Shabasov earned silver in the 100m race behind Australia’s Mitch Larkin while competing in Windsor.
Foreign talent will also be sprinkled throughout the competition to give Russia a challenge on their home turf. 2016 short course World Champion in the women’s 50m freestyle, Dutch swimmer Ranomi Kromowidjojo is expected to race, appearing as the top seed across the 50m/100m free and 50m butterfly events.
