2023 MARE NOSTRUM MONACO
- Saturday, May 20th & Sunday, May 21st
- Prince Albert II Swimming Pool, Stade Louis II, Monaco
- LCM (50m)
- World Championships/2024 Olympic Games Qualifier
- Meet Central
- Day 1 Prelims Recap
- Results
- Livestream
MEN’S 50 FLY – ROUND 2
- Mare Nostrum Record: 22.53, Andrii Govorov (UKR) 2018
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 23.53
Top 8:
- Dylan Carter (TTO), 23.47
- Michael Andrew (USA), 23.49
- Noe Ponti (SUI), 23.65
- Thomas Ceccon (ITA), 23.74
- Thomas Verhoeven (NED), 23.79
- Meiron Cheruti (ISR), 24.11
- Andrii Govorov (UKR), 24.17
- Jakub Majerski (POL), 24.18
As the sprint 50’s of each discipline for both men and women are contested as a series of knockout rounds, the morning’s 50m fly field was narrowed down to the top 8 here. These 8 competitors will race once again later in the session where the pack will be narrowed down to just 4 for tomorrow night’s final 2 rounds.
Trinidad & Tobagoan national record holder Dylan Carter led the way in 23.47 while American Olympian Michael Andrew was next in line in 23.49.
Swiss Olympic medalist Noe Ponti put up a solid swim of 23.65 while Italian World Record holder in the 100m back, Thomas Ceccon, hit 4th in 23.74.
Reigning World Record holder Andrii Govorov of Ukraine lurks as the 7th-seeded swimmer in 24.17.
WOMEN’S 50 FLY – ROUND 2
- Mare Nostrum Record – 24.76, Sarah Sjostrom (SWE)
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 26.32
Top 8:
- Sarah Sjostrom (SWE), 25.25
- Rikako Ikee (JPN), 25.93
- Melanie Henique (FRA), 26.01
- Farida Osman (EGY), 26.22
- Maggie MacNeil (CAN), 26.23
- Paulina Peda (POL), 26.40
- Katarine Savard (CAN), 26.72
- Amel Melin (ALG), 27.39
Olympic gold medalist Sarah Sjostrom didn’t miss a beat since bypassing the Barcelona meet, putting up the quickest 50m fly of round 2 in 25.25.
The 29-year-old scored one of two sub-26 seconds swims of this semi-final, with Japan’s Rikako Ikee right there in 25.93 while French ace Melanie Henique was 3rd in 26.01.
Henique took the gold in this 50m fly just days ago in a time of 25.67 while Ikee struck silver in 25.77 in Barcelona.
MEN’S 50 BACK – ROUND 2
- Mare Nostrum Record – 24.45, Michael Andrew (USA) 2019
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 25.16
Top 8:
- Benedeck Kovacs (HUN), 25.69*
- Miroslav Knedla (CZE), 25.69*
- David Gerchik (ISR), 25.73
- Tomas Franta (CZE), 25.87
- Adrian Martin (ESP), 25.96
- Ulises Saravia (ARG), 26.06
- Thierry Bollin (SUI), 26.18
- Ladislas Salczer (FRA), 26.25
Czech swimmer Miroslav Knedla held on to his top seed from this morning, producing a time of 25.69 as the top swimmer. However, Knedla wasn’t alone, as Benedek Kovacs of Hungary tied him in 25.69 to set up a battle in the next round taking place later in this session.
WOMEN’S 50 BACK – ROUND 2
- Mare Nostrum Record – 27.37, Anastasia Fesikova (RUS) 2018
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 28.22
Top 8:
- Mary-Ambre Moluh (FRA), 27.79
- Ingrid Wilm (CAN), 28.05
- Simona Kubova (CZE), 28.24
- Andrea Berrino (ARG), 28.48
- Kira Toussaint (NED), 28.56
- Adela Piskorska (POL), 28.66
- Hanna Henderson (CAN), 28.73
- Nina Kost (SUI), 28.93
The women’s 50m back round 2 saw French racer Mary-Ambre Moluh land lane 4 for the next round, hitting 27.79 as the only sub-28-second swimmer.
Canada’s Ingrid Wilm was the next-fastest in 28.05 and will be joined by teammate Hanna Henderson who clinched the 7th seed in 28.73.
Olympian Kira Toussaint and Polish 17-year-old Adela Piskorska will also be racing later on in the session after having made the top 8.
MEN’S 50 BREAST – ROUND 2
- Mare Nostrum Record – 26.33, Felipe Lima (BRA) 2019
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 27.33
Top 8:
- Nicolo Martinenghi (ITA), 27.27
- Andrius Sidlauskas (LTU), 27.72
- Jan Kalusowski (POL), 27.82
- Ippei Watanabe (JPN), 28.07
- Man-Hou Chao (MAC), 28.23
- James Dergousoff (CAN), 28.49
- Jonathan Reiter (USA), 28.88
- Brayden Taivassulo (CAN), 28.95
Italy’s Olympic medalist Nicolo Martinenghi got it done to land lane 4, hitting 27.27 as the top-seeded swimmer.
The 23-year-old clocked 27.27 to hold nearly a half-second advantage over Lithuania’s Andrius Sidlauskas who notched 27.72 while Poland’s Jan Kaluswoski was just .10 back in 27.82
Japan’s former World Record holder in the 200m breast, Ippei Watanabe, registered a mark of 28.07.
WOMEN’S 50 BREAST – ROUND 2
- Mare Nostrum Record – 29.88, Ruta Meilutyte (LTU) 2015
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 31.02
Top 8:
- Lara van Niekerk (RSA), 30.45
- Lydia Jacoby (USA), 30.50
- Imogen Clark (GBR), 30.69
- Dominika Sztandera (POL), 30.95
- Reona Aoki (JPN), 31.00*
- Macarena Ceballos (ARG), 31.00*
- Lisa Angiolini (ITA), 31.47
- Veera Kivirinta (FIN), 31.48
As expected the top 3 women in this 50m breast knockout round checked in as Lara van Niekerk of South Africa, Lydia Jacoby of the United States and Imogen Clark of Great Britain.
Van Niekerk notched 30.45 to hold a .05 advantage over Jacoby’s outing of 30.50. Clark rounded out the top tier in 30,69 while Poland’s Dominikia Sztandera also got under 31 seconds in 30.95 as the 4th-seeded contender.
MEN’S 50 FREE – ROUND 2
- Mare Nostrum Record – 21.31, Bruno Fratus (BRA) 2019
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 22.12
Top 8:
- Szebasztian Szabo (HUN), 22.09
- Michael Andrew (USA), 22.10
- Maxime Grousset (FRA), 22.26
- Elias Persson (SWE), 22.35
- Ian Ho (HKG), 22.40
- Ari-Pekka Liukkonnen (FIN), 22.56
- Nans Mazellier (FRA), 22.76
- Liam Weaver (CAN), 23.26
Hungarian Szebasztian Szabo claimed the top spot in the men’s 50m free in this round 2, clocking 22.09 as American Michael Andrew scored the 2nd seed in 22.10.
French speedster and World Championships multi-medalist Maxime Grousset holds the 3rd seed in 22.26 while Hong Kong’s Ian Ho and Finnish European champion Ari-Pekka Liukkonnen lurk among the field as well.
WOMEN’S 50 FREE – ROUND 2
- Mare Nostrum Record – 23.85, Sarah Sjostrom (SWE) 2017
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 25.04
- Paris 2024 OQT – 24.70
Top 8:
- Sarah Sjostrom (SWE), 24.23
- Cate Campbell (AUS), 24.64
- Michelle Coleman (SWE), 24.90
- Petra Senanszky (HUN), 24.96
- Maggie MacNeil (CAN), 25.18
- Marie Wattel (FRA), 25.37
- Melanie Henique (FRA), 25.40
- Kornelia Fiedkiewicz (POL), 25.51
Sarah Sjostrom claimed another top seed, posting a swift 24.23 to top this round 2 of the women’s 50m free.
She’ll try to maintain her pole position against the likes of Aussie Cate Campbell, who is competing in just her 4th meet since the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. C1 clocked 24.64 while Swede Michelle Coleman and Hungarian Petra Senanszky also got under the 25-second threshold in outings of 24.90 and 24.96, respectively.
MEN’S 400 FREE – FINAL
- Mare Nostrum Record – 3:41.71, Ian Thorpe (AUS) 2001
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 3:48.15
- Paris 2024 OQT – 3:47.91
GOLD – Kregor Zirk (EST), 3:50.24
SILVER – Tommy-Lee Camblong (FRA), 3:51.14
BRONZE – Albert Escrits Manosa (ESP), 3:56.71
The men’s 400m free tonight, the first regular final of the evening session, was on the subdued side as no competitor dipped under the 3:50 barrier.
Estonian national record holder still got it done for gold, earning the top spot in a result of 3:50.24. That beat runner-up Tommy-Lee Camblong of France by just under one second, as Camblong snagged silver in 3:51.14.
Spanish swimmer Albert Escrits Manosa also landed on the podium in 3:56.71 for bronze.
For Zirk, his time tonight sliced .34 off of his season-best of 3:50.58 logged at the first Mare Nostrum Tour stop in Canet.
WOMEN’S 400 IM – FINAL
- Mare Nostrum Record – 4:30.75, Katinka Hosszu (HUN) 2016
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 4:43.06
- Paris 2024 OQT – 4:38.53
GOLD – Zsuzsanna Jakabos (HUN), 4:42.62
SILVER – Lea Polonsky (ISR), 4:47.53
BRONZE – Louna Kasvio (FIN), 4:52.82
Hungarian Olympic veteran Zsuzsanna Jakabos claimed the decisive victory in this women’s 400m IM, getting to the wall nearly 5 seconds ahead of the next-closest competitor.
Jakabos touched in 4:42.62 while runner-up Lea Polonsky of Israel secured silver in 4:47.53. Finnish 17-year-old Louna Kasvio bagged bronze in 4:52.82.
Jakabos was slightly quicker in Barcelona, logging a time there of 4:41.51 as her season-best.
MEN’S 200 BREAST – FINAL
- Mare Nostrum Record – 2:07.23 Arno Kamminga (NED) 2021
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 2:10.32
GOLD – Ippei Watanabe (JPN), 2:09.41
SILVER – Andrius Sidlauskas (LTU), 2:11.39
BRONZE – Adam Chillingworth (HKG), 2:12.72
Although slower than the 2:08.48 he produced just days ago in Barcelona, Japanese maestro Ippei Watanabe still got it done for gold in this men’s 200m breast.
26-year-old Watanabe registered the sole time of the final to get under the 2:10 barrier, hitting 2:09.41 for gold. Behind him was Andrius Sidlauskas of Lithuania who earned 2:11.39 while Hong Kong’s national record holder Adam Chillingworth snagged bronze in 2:12.72.
Watanabe’s season-best remains at the swift 2:07.73 he posted to take the national title at April’s Japan Swim and make the team for this summer’s World Championships.
WOMEN’S 100 BREAST – FINAL
- Mare Nostrum Record – 1:04.82, Yulia Efimova (RUS) 2017
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 1:07.35
GOLD – Lydia Jacoby (USA), 1:05.99
SILVER – Reona Aoki (JPN), 1:07.04
BRONZE – Anastasia Gorbenko (ISR), 1:07.25
19-year-old American Lydia Jacoby wowed once again, producing another sub-1:06 100m breaststroke swim on this Mare Nostrum Tour.
Jacoby notched a mark of 1:05.99 tonight for gold, splitting 31.27/34.72 in the process. Her outing fell just shy of the 1:05.84 registered just days ago in Barcelona to represent her fastest result since the 2020 Olympic Games.
Japan’s Reona Aoki scored a solid 1:07.04 for silver while Israeli Anastasia Gorbenko rounded out the top 3 in 1:07.25.
Jacoby’s aforementioned 1:05.84 ranks her 3rd in the world this season while Aoki’s season-best 1:05.89 from April’s Japan Swim keeps her position as the 5th fastest.
MEN’S 100 FREE – FINAL
- Mare Nostrum Record – 48.08, Nathan Adrian (USA) 2014
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 48.51
- Paris 2024 OQT – 48.58
GOLD – Katsuhiro Matsumoto (JPN), 48.61
SILVER – Ruslan Gaziev (CAN), 48.78
BRONZE – Maxime Grousset (FRA), 48.84
The men’s 100m free was a tight race to the wall with the top 3 finishers separated by just .23 this evening.
Japan’s Katsuhiro Matsumoto stopped the clock in 48.61 to grab gold while Canada’s Ruslan Gaziev punched 48.78 followed by Frenchman Maxime Grousset‘s time of 48.84.
26-year-old Matsumoto already made noise in this event this season by becoming his nation’s 7th man ever to delve under the 48-second barrier in the event. He took the national title at this April’s Japan Swim in a mark of 47.85 to break a 5-year-old Japanese record.
As for 23-year-old Gaziev, a former Ohio State Buckeye, his time tonight ties his 2nd best performance ever, also a 48.78 put up at Pro Swim in Fort Lauderdale. He remains Canada’s 3rd swiftest performer in history.
Of note, this was just a 7-person final as Hungarian Nandor Nemeth no-showed.
WOMEN’S 200 FREE – FINAL
- Mare Nostrum Record – 1:54.66, Camille Muffat (FRA) 2012
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 1:58.66
- Paris 2024 OQT – 1:57.26
GOLD – Siobhan Haughey (HKG), 1:55.04 *Meet Record
SILVER – Mary-Sophie Harvey (CAN), 1:57.75
BRONZE – Brookly Douthwright (CAN), 1:58.58
Hong Kong Olympic multi-medalist kept her winning streak alive in this women’s 200m free, getting to the wall in a time of 1:55.04 for a new Monaco meet record.
Opening in 56.58 and closing in 58.45, Haughey roared to her fastest time of this Mare Nostrum Tour. Her 1:55.04 overtakes both the 1:55.56 logged in Barcelona as well as the 1:55.42 she registered in Canet.
Haughey owns a lifetime best of 1:53.92 from when she took silver in this event at the 2020 Olympic Games; however, her 1:55.04 now represents a season-best to rank her #3 in the world.
2022-2023 LCM Women 200 Free
O'Callaghan
1:52.85 WR
| 2 | Ariarne Titmus | AUS | 1:53.01 | 07/26 |
| 3 | Summer McIntosh | CAN | 1:53.65 WJR | 07/26 |
| 4 | Siobhan Haughey | HKG | 1:53.96 | 07/26 |
| 5 | Katie Ledecky | USA | 1:54.96 | 03/02 |
MEN’S 200 FLY – FINAL
- Mare Nostrum record: 1:53.89, Kristof Milak (HUN) 2022
- World Championships ‘A’ cut: – 1:56.71
- Paris 2024 OQT – 1:56.36
GOLD – Tomoru Honda (JPN), 1:54.22 *Meet Record
SILVER – Krzysztof Chmielewski (POL), 1:55.09
BRONZE – Noe Ponti (SUI), 1:55.42
Japanese Olympic silver medalist Tomoru Honda took full advantage of Hungarian Kristof Milak not competing here, taking this men’s 200m fly in a rapid 1:54.22. Honda opened in 56.58 and closed in 58.45 to produce the 2nd meet record in a row after Haughey.
Honda’s performance here beat out his Canet performance by nearly a second, with the 21-year-old having taken the event at that first stop in 1:55.09. His season-best remains at the head-turning 1:52.70 from last December’s Japan Open.
Poland’s 18-year-old Krzysztof Chmielewski upgraded his 3rd seed from this morning and snagged silver, hitting a time of 1:55.09. That was just .05 shy of the speedy 1:55.04 he clocked in the heats of Canet to rank 8th in the world this season.
Olympic medalist Noe Ponti of Switzerland was quick enough for bronze, posting 1:55.42. That’s his best of the season, now rendering him 10th in the world.
2022-2023 LCM Men 200 Fly
Marchand
1:52.43
| 2 | Kristof Milak | HUN | 1:52.58 | 04/20 |
| 3 | Tomoru Honda | JPN | 1:52.70 | 12/03 |
| 4 | Krzysztof Chmielewski | POL | 1:53.62 | 07/26 |
| 5 | Thomas Heilman | USA | 1:53.82 | 07/26 |
| 5 | Ilya Kharun | CAN | 1:53.82 | 07/26 |
| 7 | Carson Foster | USA | 1:53.85 | 07/25 |
| 8 | Chen Juner | CHN | 1:54.16 | 05/06 |
| 9 | Richard Marton | HUN | 1:54.54 | 07/25 |
| 10 | Teppei Morimoto | JPN | 1:54.74 | 04/06 |
WOMEN’S 100 FLY – FINAL
- Mare Nostrum Record – 55.76, Sarah Sjostrom (SWE) 2017
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 58.33
- Paris 2024 OQT – 57.92
GOLD – Katarine Savard (CAN), 58.25
SILVER – Sara Junevik (SWE), 58.79
BRONZE – Dalma Sebestyen (HUN), 59.52
The top 3 finishers in this women’s 100m fly representing the sole trio to get under the minute threshold this evening.
Canadian Katarine Savard touched first in 5825 while Sweden’s Sara Junevik clocked 58.79 for silver. Hungary’s 26-year-old Dalma Sebestyen also landed on the podium in 59.52 for bronze.
Savard claimed bronze in Barcelona with an outing there of 58.77 so the Olympian managed to hack over half a second between that outing and tonight’s performance. Her season-best stays at the 57.81 produced at the Canadian Trials to rank 17th in the world.
MEN’S 100 BACK – FINAL
- Mare Nostrum Record- 53.00, Ryosuke Irie (JPN) 2022
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 54.03
- Paris 2024 OQT – 54.01
GOLD – Thomas Ceccon (ITA), 53.45
SILVER – Ksawery Masiuk (POL), 53.97
BRONZE – Yohann Ndoye-Brouard (FRA), 54.30
Reigning World Record holder Thomas Ceccon of Italy topped the men’s 100m back podium in 53.45 to hold off 18-year-old Polish ace Ksawery Masiuk.
Masiuk notched silver in 53.97 while Frenchman Yohann Ndoye-Brouard rounded out the top 3 in 54.30.
One-time NC State-bound Masiuk is the world’s 5th fastest performer this season, owning a 2023 time of 52.81 from a domestic meet this past February.
Ceccon is still seeking a sub-53-second swim, owning a season-best of 53.36 from last month’s Italian Championships, although that effort indeed qualified him for this summer’s World Championships.
WOMEN’S 200 BACK – FINAL
- Mare Nostrum Record – 2:06.66, Emily Seebohm (AUS) 2017
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 2:11.08
- Paris 2024 OQT – 2:10.39
GOLD – Laura Bernat (POL), 2:09.76
SILVER – Adela Piskorska (POL), 2:10.15
BRONZE – Pauline Mahieu (FRA), 2:11.12
A pair of Polish teens grabbed the top 2 spots in this women’s 200m back, led by 17-year-old Laura Bernat.
Bernat stopped the clock in a rapid 2:09.76, tying her best-ever performance produced just last month. She also shaved .10. off of the 2:09.86 put up in Barcelona as the teen remains consistent in this event.
19-year-old teammate Adela Piskorska was right behind in 2:10.15 for the 3rd-best performance of her career. She owns a lifetime best of 2:09.40 from April of this year.
MEN’S 200 IM – FINAL
- Mare Nostrum Record – 1:56.31, Hugo Gonzalez (ESP) 2021
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 1:59.53
- Paris 2024 OQT – 1:58.53
GOLD – Tomoyuki Matsushita (JPN), 1:59.64
SILVER – Finlay Knox (CAN), 2:00.31
BRONZE – Jaouad Syoud (ALG), 2:01.24
It was a rather quiet men’s 200m IM, with just Tomoyuki Matsushita of Japan getting under the 2:00 barrier.
1:59.64 is what it took the 17-year-old to clear gold this evening, while Canada’s Finlay Knox wrangled up silver in 2:00.31 and Algeria’s Jaouad Syoud bagged bronze in 2:01.24.
For teen Matsushita, his outing beat out his Canet opener of 2:00.64 which garnered him silver while it fell outside the 1:58.49 logged last week in Barcelona which also gave him 2nd place.
MEN’S 50 FLY – ROUND 3
- Mare Nostrum Record: 22.53, Andrii Govorov (UKR) 2018
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 23.53
Top 4:
- Thomas Ceccon (ITA), 23.49
- Michael Andrew (USA), 23.55
- Dylan Carter (TTO), 23.56
- Noe Ponti (SUI), 23.67
The stage is set for tomorrow’s final 2 rounds of the men’s 50m fly, as Italy’s Thomas Ceccon leads the field in 23.49 after his 100m back victory earlier tonight.
American Michael Andrew is right behind in 23.55 while Trinidad & Tobago’s Dylan Carter and Swiss 200m fly bronze medalist already here, Noe Ponti, clinched the 4th spot in 23.67.
Reigning World Record holder Andrii Govorov finished 8th in 24.15.
WOMEN’S 50 FLY – ROUND 3
- Mare Nostrum Record – 24.76, Sarah Sjostrom (SWE)
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 26.32
Top 4:
- Sarah Sjostrom (SWE), 25.28
- Melanie Henique (FRA), 25.96
- Rikako Ikee (JPN), 26.02
- Sara Juvenik (SWE), 26.16
Two Swedes made it into tomorrow night’s next round as multi-Olympic medalist Sarah Sjostrom busted out a massive 25.28 to easily top the final 4 field.
Her teammate Sara Juvenik will also race tomorrow night after placing 4th in 26.16 while Japan’s Rikako Ikee hit 26.02 and French speedster Melanie Henique posted 25.96 to also make the final quartet.
29-year-old Sjostrom owns the top time in the world this season, courtesy of the 25.04 logged in April, while Henique registered a time of 25.67 just days ago in Barcelona. Ikee has also been under 26 seconds this season with the 25.59 performed at April’s Japan Swim to take the national title there in Tokyo.
MEN’S 50 BACK – ROUND 3
- Mare Nostrum Record – 24.45, Michael Andrew (USA) 2019
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 25.16
Top 4:
- Mirsolav Knedla (CZE), 25.20
- David Gerchik (ISR), 25.22
- Adrian Martin (ESP), 25.52
- Benedek Kovacs (HUN), 25.59
Three of the top four kept their spots from earlier in the session to make it into the top tier for tomorrow night’s final.
Czech swimmer Mirslav Knedla will be the man to beat, carrying a round 3 time of 25.20, just .02 ahead of Israeli David Gerchik.
WOMEN’S 50 BACK – ROUND 3
- Mare Nostrum Record – 27.37, Anastasia Fesikova (RUS) 2018
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 28.22
Top 4:
- Mary-Ambre Moluh (FRA), 27.93
- Ingrid Wilm (CAN), 28.04
- Adela Piskorska (POL), 28.20
- Simona Kubova (CZE), 28.22
Just one swimmer got under the 28-second barrier in this later final, marked by France’s Mary-Ambre Moluh and her result of 27.93. That represents the 9th quickest outing of her career.
Ingrid Wilm of Canada was next in 28,04 while the newly-minted 200m back silver medalist here, Adela Piskorska clinched 3rd in 28.20.
MEN’S 50 BREAST – ROUND 3
- Mare Nostrum Record – 26.33, Felipe Lima (BRA) 2019
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 27.33
Top 4:
- Nicolo Martingenghi (ITA), 27.22
- Andrius Sidlauskas (LTU), 27.47
- Man-Hou Chao (MAC), 27.78
- Jan Kalusowski (POL), 27.90 & Ippei Watanabe (JPN), 27.90
Italy’s Olympic medalist Nicolo Martinenghi shaved .05 off of his earlier time of 27.27 to earn the top spot in 27.22. Lithuania’s Andrius Sidlauskas remained as the 2nd-seeded athlete in 27.47, hacking .25 off of his performance from round 2.
Macenodia’s Man-Hou Chao cracked a new national record of 27.78 while two men tied in 27.90 for 4th in Jan Kalusowski of Poland and Ippei Watanabe of Japan. We’ll have to see if there will be a swim-off for the 4th slot.
WOMEN’S 50 BREAST – ROUND 3
- Mare Nostrum Record – 29.88, Ruta Meilutyte (LTU) 2015
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 31.02
Top 4:
- Lydia Jacoby (USA), 30.08
- Lara van Niekerk (RSA), 30.21
- Imogen Clark (GBR), 30.31
- Dominika Sztandera (POL), 30.84
United States Olympic champion Lydia Jacoby rocked the best time of her career en route to taking the top position in this women’s 50m breast skins race.
The 19-year-old clocked a time of 30.08, overtaking her previous outing of 30.20 notched at the Pro Swim Series in Westmont. She remains ranked 4th in the world this season.
Jacoby will need to beat out South African national record holder and Commonwealth Games champion Lara van Niekerk who clocked 30.21 while Imogen Clark of Great Britain is also on the prowl in 30.31
MEN’S 50 FREE – ROUND 3
- Mare Nostrum Record – 21.31, Bruno Fratus (BRA) 2019
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 22.12
Top 4:
- Ian Ho (HKG), 21.96
- Michael Andrew (USA), 21.97
- Szebasztian Szabo (HUN), 22.03
- Maxime Grousset (FRA), 22.11
Hong Kong’s Ian Ho blasted a time of 21.96 to land lane 4 for tomorrow night’s round 4 of this 50m free.
The 26-year-old’s time is just .10 outside of the 21.96 national record he logged in April of this year to remain the only man from his nation ever to have dipped under the 22-second barrier in the event.
Michael Andrew made his 2nd skins final, clocking a time of 21.97 to also get under 22 tonight.
WOMEN’S 50 FREE – ROUND 3
- Mare Nostrum Record – 23.85, Sarah Sjostrom (SWE) 2017
- World Championships ‘A’ cut – 25.04
- Paris 2024 OQT – 24.70
Top 4:
- Sarah Sjostrom (SWE), 24.03
- Cate Campbell (AUS), 24.34
- Michelle Coleman (SWE), 24.53
- Petra Senanszky (HUN), 24.81
Sjostro once again put her speed dominance on display, following up her 50m fly top seed with a 24.03 in the 50m free. Remarkably, this swim sits just .11 outside of her world-leading time of 23.92 posted at April’s Stockholm Open.
Behind her this evening was once again C1, with the Aussie logging 24.34, her best time of the season to check in as the world’s #4 best performer thus far.
Fellow Swede Michelle Coleman is in the mix with 24.53 while Petra Senanszky logged a new Hungarian national record en route to 4th place heading into tomorrow night’s final 2 rounds.
Senanszky’s effort sliced .07 off of the longstanding Hungarian standard of 24.87 Olympic icon Katinka Hosszu put on the books at the 2014 Maria Lenk Trophy.
Looked at the prize money from the USA Pro Series in CA this weekend:
1st Place – $1,500 2nd Place – $1,000 3rd Place – $500
and it was the same at the Pro Series meet in Ft Lauderdale in March (did not look up the other meets).
‘The compensation for travel, food, and lodging at Mare Nostrum is significant but I believe it is based on the swimmer’s world championship results
Wow that’s a much faster 50 than expected from Cate. 4th this year begins Sjostrom, Jack and Harris.
For a while we’ve been expecting the 100 at trials next year to be brutal but it’s looking like all three of the shortest distances are gonna be like that.
I reckon the 200 is fairly safe. Arnie is obviously in and MOC is well ahead of both Jack and McKeon. Although anything could happen I guess!
MOC 1.54 at 18 years is only 1.2 off WR
I’m thinking she’s the one they have to beat come trials
Correct me if I’m wrong re her age…She may have already turned 19 at that stage.
Arnie has been 1:53 low. MOC has looked very promising but still seems to be playing with her race strategy. I will be pretty shocked if Titmus is beaten at trials, but even more shocked if Jack beats MOC.
She turned 19 last month. She was only 18 and 4 months when she swam her PB.
Given McKeon hasn’t raced the 200free since Tokyo, think it’s safe to scratch her from the list.
Unless someone else emerges and/or starts swimming 1.54s, and especially 1.54lowish; I think the 200 looks a closed book.
50/100 … not so
Let’s say at trials next year McKeon gets the 100 fly and 50 free spots but misses a spot in the 100 (not unlikely) she’ll have no races in the middle five days of the meet if she doesn’t target the 4×2.
Emma may or may not swim the 200 free at trials this year, but I still think she doesn’t want to give up that (basically guaranteed) relay medal in Paris.
I don’t think MOC is safe because Jack very well might keep improving and MOC hasn’t found consistency in the 200 yet. The relay spots will also be a brutal battle with 10+ swimmers in contention.
I know McKeon hasn’t really swum much or showed a lot in season so far this year, but is there anything to suggest she won’t be near her times from the past few years?
Has there been an indication that she won’t be at peak at WCs this year and her goal is 2024?
Otherwise if she is anywhere near her best I can’t see anyone but her being a lock for #1 in the 50 at trials, and the 100 (unless MOC does something special which I think she is more than capable of) with the improvements she’s shown across the board in the past year and a half.
Cate’s time here is super impressive, and I agree… Read more »
That’d be great if C1 changed her mind. 👍 I honesly have no idea where McKeon’s at but I guess she’s been in heavy training trying to regain that endurance she had in Tokyo and unwilling to have any rest at meets so far this year.
McKeon clearly hasn’t fully rested for a meet this year so her times aren’t near her best, but for in season she’s actually doing pretty well:
50 Free – 24.69 (17th)
100 Free – 53.22 (6th)
100 Fly – 57.07 (7th)
200 Fly – 2:07.79 (8th)
She obviously has the 100 fly locked. She’d qualify even with that 57. And she obviously won’t swim the 200 fly.
If she is on form for the 50 and 100 free she should qualify individually for both but who knows. She was a little off in LCM last year (but to be fair she did take a massive break) but then at Short Course Worlds she absolutely cleaned up every… Read more »
Yes… forgot she that long break. last year. But her exploits at SC Worlds were tremendous. That to me showed she still got it and I feel she could reach near her Tokyo times at WCs (and close-ish to at trials).
With the competition in the 50 and 100 free all contenders will need to be near their best.
I agree. Can’t wait for trials to finally be here!
Did Michael Andrew swim any 100 meter events at Mare Nostrum?
You must have forgot that he isn’t capable of swimming over a 50
100 breast at first two stops. 1:02s!? Otherwise he is all in on the 50s at this point.
Lydia Jacoby has posted personal best times in the W 50 BR and W 200 BR in the month of May, 2023. Lydia Jacoby is rounding into form ahead of the 2023 Phillips 66 National Championships.
Cate Campbell 50 free looking much better than it has since her comeback. Her 100 was looking better but her 50 is now looking quite strong too.
It may be the case that her career goes “full circle”. She first came to note primarily as a 50 swimmer with her 100 only truly taking off post London. Whilst it’s likely that she will continue to swim the 100 for relay purposes, the 50 may still be a viable avenue for an individual swim in Paris.
Bronze in the 50 in ‘08 to launch her career…perhaps a bronze in the 50 in ‘24 to close it out
Not out of the question but selection is going to be far from a cinch given the presence of McKeon, Harris & Jack with the likes of Wilson and maybe C2 potentially in the picture …. that’s just the known factors.
This meet has certainly shown she can still produce a Worlds finals standard time but in order to medal, she would need to be down around 24flat minimum.
I’d be somewhat shocked if she cracked the top 2. McKeon, Jack for me.
Although she may concentrate on 50’s like Sarah at this stage in her career.
Might have agreed until she swam these times in Monaco. They place her right in the selection equation. McKeon has the top-side of being a proven sub 24 performer IN international competition which is somewhere I suspect neither Jack nor Harris can get to.
Do I think C1 can get back below 24 ? I’m sceptical but Sjostrom can still hit that trajectory. Should she (C1) swim a 24flat/24.1 at next year’s Trials then she has to be mightly close to grabbing herself a plane ticket.
What a nice surprise to wake up to. I was already impressed by the 24.64 tbh but she had more in the tank.
Andrew shows up with no manadou. Not surprised. Not a pressure guy.
There certainly is more pressure at World Championships than Mare Nostrum and reality is that Michael Andrew was 2nd and Flo was 11th in 50 free at WC last summer.
Which one got a medal in 50 free Tokyo?? Also, as far as I know, Flo isn’t known for his WC swims, he’s better at Oly’s.
Michael Andrew got a GOLD medal at the Tokyo Olympics and a World Record.
PB for Jacoby 30.08, even faster than King went yesterday. She’s really improved her raw speed.
104 high incoming at the trials in six weeks
Save it for the 2023 World Aquatics Championships.
Carson and Shane living it up at 11 and over TX end of the school year splash.
MA and Lydia living it up at all expense paid Mare Nostrum in Canet, Barcelona, and Monaco. Winning.
Carson and Shaine have both done Mare Nostrum!