In the semi-final heat of the women’s 100 fly, Germany’s Alexandra Wenk swam a 57.77 to clench the 7th spot for the finals at the 2015 FINA World Championships in Kazan. That was a special swim for Wenk, as it also set a new German National Record in the event.
The previous record belonged to Annika Mehlhorn. Mehlhorn had set that record at 57.90 at the 2009 FINA World Championships in Rome. This was the first time a German has been under 58 since the super-suit era that saw World Records falling left and right. That time also made her the only German ever to crack 58 in textile.
Wenk came into the meet with a time of 58.18, lowering that time to closely race Jeanette Ottesen (57.79) in the prelims. She swam a 58.05 in the heats, splitting 27.57/30.48.
She took her first 50 out a bit slower in finals, swimming a 27.70 through the first 50 meters. Her back half, however, was significantly better in that 2nd swim. She brought it home in 30.07 to take 4th in the 1st heat of semifinals.
Wenk actually had the 2nd fastest final 50 split of anyone in the semifinals. Only Sarah Sjostrom, who crushed the World Record this morning, was faster with a 29.28 on the back half.
