2016 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY 3
- Monday, May 16th – Sunday, May 22nd
- Prelims: 10:00 AM (London Time) / 5:00 AM (Eastern Time)
- Finals: 6:00 PM (London Time) / 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)
- London Aquatics Center, London, UK
- Meet Central
- Psych Sheet
- Live Results
- Live Stream
In the final of the women’s 100 breaststroke at the European Championships Iceland’s Hrafnhildur Luthersdottir touched 2nd behind Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte winning the silver medal. The medal is of special significance because that is Iceland’s first ever medal at a Long Course European Championship meet. Luthersdottir also broke her own national record, taking down her swim of 1:06.87 from the 2015 World Championships with a clocking of 1:06.45.
Here’s a comparative look at Luthersdottir’s splits from her new record set today in London and her previous one set last summer in Kazan:
- 2015 World Championships, Prelims: 31.44 / 1:06.87 (35.43)
- 2016 European Championships, Final: 32.00 / 1:06.45 (34.45)
Luthersdottir goes out a bit slower than she did in Kazan but comes home nearly a full second faster, showing incredible back 50 speed.
This swim is a very big improvement for Luthersdottir from her 2014 European Championship performance, where she missed the final in Berlin placing 10th.
As previously mentioned reigning Olympic medalist Ruta Meilutyte won gold in 1:06.17, while Great Britain’s Chloe Tutton was 3rd in 1:07.50.
Luthersdottir qualified for the Olympics at the Icelandic Championships, and will certainly have a great chance to make the final as she is currently on great form. A great swim could even see her get into the medal conversation.
She will also compete in the 50 (9th) and 200 breaststroke (5th) later on in the meet.
