2018 Mare Nostrum Tour in Canet-en-Roussillon: Day 1 prelims recap

2018 Mare Nostrum Tour, Canet-en-Roussillon

• June 9th-10th
• Bassin Europa, Canet-en-Roussillon, France
• LCM
• Meet Central
• Schedule
• Entry List
• Results
• Live Results

The 2018 Mare Nostrum Tour kicked off on Saturday morning in Canet with the women’s 50m backstroke. Russia’s Anastasia Fesikova set the fastest time in 28,27 ahead of Netherland’s Kira Toussaint (28,40). Missy Franklin pulled out of the 50m backstroke.

Women’s 50m backstroke, A-final:

Ben Treffers (AUS), a 2015 World Championship bronze medalist in the event, clocked at 25,42 in this morning’s prelim session. France’s Jeremy Stravius was the second fastest with a time of 25,58.

Men’s 50m backstroke, A-final:

1.	TREFFERS Ben	1991	AUS	AUSTRALIE	00:25.42	+0.53		845 pts	QFA
2.	STRAVIUS Jérémy	1988	FRA	AMIENS METROPOLE NAT.	00:25.58	+0.64		830 pts	QFA
				PÔLE FRANCE NATATION COURSE – AMIENS
3.	KOPELEV Jonatan Josef	1991	ISR	ISRAËL	00:25.79	+0.57		809 pts	QFA
3.	STOKOWSKI Kacper	1999	POL	POLOGNE	00:25.79	+0.55		809 pts	QFA
5.	DIENER Christian	1993	GER	ALLEMAGNE	00:25.91	+0.61		798 pts	QFA
6.	POTHAIN Jordan	1994	FRA	NAUTIC CLUB ALP’38	00:26.01	+0.55		789 pts	QFA
7.	BEDEL Paul-Gabriel	1994	FRA	CN MARSEILLE	00:26.10	+0.61		781 pts	QFA
				PÔLE FRANCE NATATION COURSE – MARSEILLE
8.	BALOG Gabor	1990	HUN	HONGRIE	00:26.17	+0.57		775 pts	QFA

Netherland’s Ranomi Kromowidjojo was set to compete in the 50m freestyle but did not appear. Denmark’s Pernille Blume, 2016 Olympic Champion 50m freestyle, was the only woman under the 25 seconds mark, she recorded a time of 24,68. Her season best time stands at 24,48. Japan’s teennager Rikako Ikee was the second fastest qualifier in 25,21 ahead of Taylor Ruck (CAN, 25,25).

Women’s 50m freestyle, A-final:

On the men’s side, USA’s Michael Andrew was the only man under the 22 second mark when he finished first in a time of 21,93. He sits in the 6th spot in the actual FINA World Ranking in 21,73 and as the fastest American swimmer so far in 2018. Bruno Fratus (BRA) had the second fastest time in prelims of 22,26 followed by Japan’s Shinri Shioura (22,30).

Men’s 50m freestyle, A-final:

Henrik Chistiansen (NOR) put up the top time recording a time of 3:52,25. He was followed by Naito Ehara (3:53,68).

Men’s 400m freestyle, A-final:

Katinka Hosszu was the top qualifier in the women’s 200 back putting up a time of 2:11,21, her fastest time in this season after a 6-month competition break she returned to competition at the Speedo Challenge in late May before heading back to Europe for the Mare Nostrum series. Another swimmer returning from a long layoff at this meet, Missy Franklin hasn’t participated in any competition since 2016, she made it with the fifth fastest time into the A-final, she touched in a time of 2:13,61.

Women’s 200m backstroke, A-final:

Germany’s Christian Diener secured this morning’s best time in 2:01,39, while Americans Bryce Mefford (2:01,48) and Kieran Smith (2:02,26) eased their way for the second and third seeds tonight.

Men’s 200m backstroke, A-final:

Molly Hannis (USA) swam a 1:07,56 in the 100m breaststroke for the top seed in tonight’s A-final. She sits in the third spot in the World Rankings with a season-best time of 1:06,09.

She was followed by Japan’s Kanako Watanabe, who was clocked at 1:08,57. Russia’s Yuliya Efimova qualified third in 1:08,82. Efimova’s season best stands at 1:06,32.

Women’s 100m breaststroke, A-final:

Arno Kamminga (NED)  set the fastest time in the 100m breaststroke in 59,70, just 0,01 away from his personal best time. World record holder Adam Peaty (GBR) came in with the second fastest time  in 59,72. Peaty sits on the first spot in the 2018 World ranking (58,59).  USA’s Michael Andrew took the 5th seed for the A-final with a time of 1:00,76.

Men’s 100m breaststroke, A-final:

Olympic Champion Katinka Hosszu didn’t improve her 2018 best time of 2:10,87 in prelims, but she clocked the fastest time of all starters in 2:12,63. The second seed for the A-final went to Spain’s Mireia Belmonte (2:13,81). Brooke Forde (USA, born 1999) will be the youngest woman in the A-final, she swam a 2:15,25. (personal best: 2:13,43).

Gergely Gyurta (HUN) recorded a time of 4:24,20 in the men’s 400m IM for the final’s top spot. USA’s Gunnar Bentz posted a 4:24,83 (personal best: 4:11,66), this was the fourth fastest time in prelims.

Men’s 400m IM, A-final:

Japan’s Rikako Ikee was the only woman under the 58-second mark in the morning heats. She was clocked at 57,96. Canada’s youngster Rebecca Smith took the second spot for the A-final with a time of 59,25. Cassidy Bayer (USA) also made it into the A-final, she set the sixth fastest time in 1:00,42 (personal best time: 58,11).

Women’s 100m butterfly, A-final:

Mehdy Metella (FRA) put up the top time in the men’s 100m butterfly recording a time of 52,47 followed by Hungary’s Bence Pulai in 52,94. Michael Andrew (USA) had the fifth fastest time of 53,52.

Men’s 100m butterfly, A-final:

Charlotte Bonnet (FRA) took the top spot for tonight’s A-final in 1:57,78. She owns the fourth spot in the current FINA World Ranking with a time of 1:55,53. 2001 born Ajna Kesely is the second fastest qualifier ahead of Canada’s youngsters Rebecca Smith (1:59,11) and Taylor Ruck (1:59,59). Ruck is the highest ranked swimmer according to the World Ranking in 1:54,81, only Katie Ledecky has been faster in 2018, yesterday in St. Clara, USA, at the Pro Swim. USA’s Missy Franklin (2:00,51) and Brooke Forde (2:01,24) are qualiied for the B-final.

Women’s 200m freestyle

Jordan Pothain (FRA) was the top qualifier with a time of 1:47,97 in the men’s 200m freestyle. Norway’s Truls Wigdel, born 1999, was the second fastest qualifier in 1:48,99. USA’s Kieran Smith set a new personal best time, he was clocked at 1:49,69, his first time under 1:50. He qualified sixth for the A-final.

Men’s 200m freestyle, A-final: