2019 British Swimming Championships: Day 5 Finals Live Recap

Caeleb Dressel

2019 BRITISH SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

The penultimate finals session from Glasgow will feature the fastest seeded heat in the men’s 800 free, along with championship finals in the women’s 50 back, men’s 50 free, women’s 400 free, and the men’s and women’s 200 IM.

Ben Proud had the swim of the morning session in the men’s 50, touching in a season-best time of 21.57 to elevate him into #3 in the world. A time of 21.45 or better tonight would ensure him an automatic qualification for Worlds this summer.

Also looking to put herself on the team tonight is Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, who was the fastest swimmer in the women’s 200 IM field by nearly two seconds this morning in 2:11.78. 2:09.80 will be the time she’s shooting for tonight.

Men’s 800 Free Timed Final

  • Selection Time #1 – 7:46.75
  • Selection Time #2 -7:49.71 
  1. Samuel Budd, Co Sheffield, 7:59.72
  2. William Bell, Co Leicester, 8:01.20
  3. Tom Derbyshire, Bath NC, 8:03.42

21-year-old Samuel Budd of Sheffield was the aggressor in the fastest seeded heat of the men’s 800 free, opening up an early advantage over the field as he led by two seconds at the 400m mark in 3:57.65. He held strong coming home, clocking a time of 7:59.72 to break 8:00 for the first time (previously having been 8:00.89 in 2017).

William Bell of Leicester annihilated his best time of 8:10.18 in 8:01.20 for second, getting the 17-year-old under the World Junior qualifying time. The top seed coming in Tom Derbyshire took third in 8:03.42.

Women’s 50 Back Final

  1. Georgia Davies, Loughboro Un, 28.10
  2. Lauren Cox, Co Coventry, 28.20
  3. Cassie Wild, UniOfStirl, 28.43

Reigning European Champion Georgia Davies got the job done in the women’s 50 backstroke final, putting up a time of 28.10 to edge out Lauren Cox (28.20) by one-tenth of a second.

Davies holds a best time of 27.21, from those European Championships, which also stands as the European Record. This is her second title after winning the 100 back earlier.

Cox, just 18, dropped 0.19 off her best time for that runner-up spot, and 19-year-old Cassie Wild was third in 28.43. Seven of the eight finalists were under 29 seconds.

Men’s 50 Free Final

  • Selection Time #1 – 21.45
  • Selection Time #2 – 21.84
  1. Ben Proud, Plymouth Lea, 21.50
  2. David Cumberlidge, Edinburgh Un, 22.09
  3. Jack Thorpe, Edinburgh Un, 22.49

Ben Proud takes over the #1 time in the world for the year in the men’s 50 freestyle, winning the race by almost six-tenths of a second in 21.50. He overtakes (the recently suspended) Andrea Vergani of Italy for #1 in the world (21.53), and narrowly misses the automatic Worlds qualifying time of 21.45. He was however well under the secondary time and shouldn’t have an issue getting on the team.

2018-2019 LCM MEN 50 FREE

2Vladimir
MOROZOV
RUS21.2708/15
3Bruno
FRATUS
BRA21.3106/09
4Kristian
GKOLOMEEV
GRE21.4507/27
5Benjamin
PROUD
GBR21.4804/28
View Top 26»

Edinburgh teammates David Cumberlidge (22.09) and Jack Thorpe (22.49) placed second and third, both missing their best times by less than a tenth of a second.

Women’s 400 Free Final

  • Selection Time #1 – 4:03.57
  • Selection Time #2 – 4:06.39
  1. Holly Hibbott, Stockport Mo, 4:08.50
  2. Leah Crisp, Co Leeds, 4:12.52
  3. Rachel Anderson, Millfield, 4:15.21

2018 European bronze medalist Holly Hibbott had a strong start in the women’s 400 free but faded down the backstretch, putting up a time of 4:08.50 to fall over two seconds shy of the consideration time (4:06.39). Her best stands at 4:05.01.

18-year-old Leah Crisp of Leeds registered a new personal best for the runner-up spot in 4:12.52, as did 17-year-old Rachel Anderson of Millfield who took third in 4:15.21.

Both Anderson and 15-year-old Tamryn Van Selm (4:16.37 from the Transition final) were under the World Junior qualifying time.

Men’s 200 IM Final

  • Selection Time #1 – 1:56.85
  • Selection Time #2 – 1:57.85
  1. Duncan Scott, UniOfStirl, 1:56.65
  2. Thomas Dean, Bath NC, 1:58.89
  3. Joe Litchfield, Loughboro NC, 1:59.50

Duncan Scott dropped British Record holder Max Litchfield on the breaststroke leg of the men’s 200 IM with an incredible 32.85 leg, and then closed the deal with a final 50 of 28.24 to win by over two seconds in a time of 1:56.65. That misses Litchfield’s record by just .01 but overtakes Wang Shun‘s #1 time in the world (1:56.66) by the same margin as he claims the top spot.

2018-2019 LCM MEN 200 IM

MitchellAUS
LARKIN
06/12
1.55.72
2Daiya
SETO
JPN1.56.1407/25
3Jeremy
DESPLANCHES
SUI1.56.5607/25
4Duncan
Scott
GBR1.56.6504/20
5Shun
WANG
CHN1.56.6603/28
View Top 26»

A personal best time by over a second, improving his 1:57.86 from the Commonwealth Games, Scott adds a second event to his Worlds lineup as he gets under the automatic qualifying time of 1:56.85. His breaststroke split was notably almost two seconds faster than it was in his Commonwealth swim (34.66).

19-year-old up and comer Thomas Dean turned fifth at the 150 but closed in 28.37 to snag second in 1:58.89, getting under his previous best of 1:59.17. That puts Dean 10th all-time among British swimmers.

Max Litchfield, who remained second heading into the freestyle, ended up falling to fifth in 1:59.73, getting passed by his brother Joe Litchfield (1:59.50) and Mark Szaranek (1:59.72) in addition to Dean.

Women’s 200 IM Final

  • Selection Time #1 – 2:09.80
  • Selection Time #2 –  2:10.48
  1. Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, Bath NC, 2:10.34
  2. Alicia Wilson, Guildford CT, 2:11.60
  3. Abbie Wood, Loughboro NC, 2:11.65

Siobhan-Marie O’Connor led the women’s 200 IM wire-to-wire, sneaking under the consideration time of 2:10.48 in 2:10.34 for the victory. She moves into #7 in the world for the year.

Alicia Wilson of Guildford CT, who trains in the U.S. at Cal Berkeley, established a big personal best to take second in 2:11.60, narrowly edging out Abbie Wood (2:11.65) on the freestyle leg.

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AvidSwimFan
4 years ago

Their auto QT is ridiculous. Why don’t they just used the FINA A time or something really close to it like the French federation is doing? I mean Proud is the fastest this season in the 50free and he didn’t get under the auto QT. I hope those close get on the team by discretionary picks because going to worlds the year before the Olympics is invaluable experience.

Also Duncan Scott is 🔥🔥🔥

Tim
4 years ago

That 1:56 is awesome. Duncan Scott is a really impressive swimmer.

Daaaave
4 years ago

I’m a team USA guy, but team GB had a strong session. 21.5 and 1:56.6. Noted.

Admin
Reply to  Daaaave
4 years ago

Err….Ben Proud swam the 21.5. Ben Proud and Duncan Scott are 2 different guys.

Swimdude
Reply to  Braden Keith
4 years ago

I thought he was just saying it was a strong overall showing by British swimming as a whole tonight, with two notable performances from the swimmers

anonymoose
Reply to  Swimdude
4 years ago

21.5 is a very good time but not really significant for proud, expected him to be quite a bit faster

Team Rwanda
Reply to  Swimdude
4 years ago

That’s how I read it as well: 2 strong times in one session (not necessarily by the same person)

Dee
Reply to  Swimdude
4 years ago

The original comment was changed; Originally cited Dressel & MA and said Scott owned them tonight with a 21.5 & 1.56.6 in one session.

Daaaave
Reply to  Swimdude
4 years ago

What I meant after I edited my original bad post. Braden’s downvotes belong to me.

Daaaave
Reply to  Braden Keith
4 years ago

Yeah, sorry Braden, had it wrong and edited as soon as I posted.

Dee
Reply to  Daaaave
4 years ago

Duncan going 21.5? Not in a million 😉 haha

Daaaave
Reply to  Daaaave
4 years ago

Yep, my original post was a total flub. Now that the piercing is gone I can’t tell these guys apart.

Dee
4 years ago

Not as tidy as this morning for SMOC, but she got under the consideration time on only her 2nd swim of the year. She should come on big time by summer. Two youngsters 2nd & 3rd in 2.11s – When was the last time neither Miley nor Willmott made the podium at nats/trials? Nice to see the event moving forward.

GoGreen
Reply to  Dee
4 years ago

I’m happy to see some fresh faces in the 200IM not too far off SOC. it’s about time.

Togger
Reply to  Dee
4 years ago

Wilson coming off NCAAs for the first time as well. When she’s learned to better handle that double she could really push SMOC. Great training partner for her in Izzy Ivey too for the next three years.

Dee
4 years ago

Duncan Scott where did that come from?!?! He split 32.8 on the breast leg!!

1.56.65 200IM, dropping PBs all over the place – 1.44 free?

Max Litchfield out of sorts after his great 400 the other day was a real shocker. Led at 100 then just disappeared… Tom Dean a PB in second but misses the time.

Dee
Reply to  Dee
4 years ago

Agree on Tom; Not just a PB but a 1.5s SB on the IM, hopefully a good sign for his freestyle getting into new terriroty tomorrow.

AnEn12
Reply to  Dee
4 years ago

Thomas Dean only slight off the 1:56 you hoped for …

Dee
Reply to  AnEn12
4 years ago

Hoped being the operative word, and you can never knock a PB haha

AnEn12
Reply to  Dee
4 years ago

Yeah, but he was lightyears away, what time did you predict for Anderson in the 200 free?

Dee
Reply to  AnEn12
4 years ago

ThomasLurzFan, I thought we were over our lovers tiff…

For clarity, I don’t proclaim to be a genius, but I put my views on the line (Isnt that why we come here; To share our opinions and our love of swimming?) – Some calls miss (Dean/Anderson), some calls hit (tipped Van Selm as the kid to watch – She hacked up her PBs all over the place and won multiple golds).

I don’t see what you gain by creating animosity here, but crack on ✌🏼

AnEn12
Reply to  Dee
4 years ago

Hi, nice to see you BoboGigi, where have you been?
The problem is that you don’t present your views as views, you act as if those things are bound to happen. You constantly act as if Anderson is some generational talent, although girls like Ruck, Oleksiak or Ikee all have been way faster than her at the same age. Now you are doing the same with Dean and its just annoying, please stop hyping every decent talent up to be a future superstar.
Congrats for being “right” about Van Selm, although I don’t exactly see the magic here, its not as if any of her times are remarkable from a global perspective.

Dee
Reply to  AnEn12
4 years ago

On the selection policy thread I said;

“I think Dean will qualify”

Note the word ‘think’… You then challenged it and I clarified the following:

“As for Dean – I meant he’ll hit the consideration time (1.57.8 – 1.2s faster than his PB set as an 18yo… hardly a wild prediction) and qualify that way. That said, 1.56.8 wouldnt surprise me.” – That’s what I said, to you, RE Dean.

So, no, I did not expect him to swim 1.56, I said it wouldnt surprise me because I know somebody in his training group and they rage about his talent.

As for Anderson, I think she is a special talent, I have said so since 2014, and I have… Read more »

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  AnEn12
4 years ago

Yozhik.

CACrushers
4 years ago

Looks like there’s a mistake in the 50 free results… clear water came in second place

Swimdude
4 years ago

What’s up with these countries all having their own harder qualifying times? Not trying to make fun of it or anything but I don’t think I understand the thought process behind it…

Dee
Reply to  Swimdude
4 years ago

In the UK, it seems like a veiled attempted at leaving enough room for ‘discretion’, I.e handpicking the team.

Togger
Reply to  Dee
4 years ago

Incredibly thinly veiled too, some of the A times are ludicrous. Next year they’ll just set them at the existing world record and have done with it.

Brian
4 years ago

How is 21.50 not an automatic qualifying time.

Bob
Reply to  Brian
4 years ago

GB has to create pressure on swimmers in a different way to USA. It’s weird that yanks always think everything should be done there way.

JimSwim22
Reply to  Bob
4 years ago

Bob, how’s that working out for them? What benefit does that pressure create?

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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