Cielo Wins Men's 50 Fly on Day 2 of Brazilian "Trials"

Cesar Cielo was back in the water on day 2 in the ill-named Brazilian “World Championship Trials” with a second win, this time in the men’s 50 fly. This is an event that’s been sort of a side-project for him, but last year he rode it to the best time in the world, despite an otherwise-lackluster Pan-Pac Championships. He won the race today in 23.68, which ties him for 6th-fastest in the world this year (yet still fails to  clear Brazil’s lofty World Championships standards). Cielo is already qualified, however, based on his swims from Pan Pacs.

In the women’s race, Daynara Paula took the win in an almost-as-impressive 26.55, which puts her 14th in the world. Runner-up Gabriella Silva took 2nd in 26.77, which is also a top-20 time. Paula has had a great 2011 season so far, and ranks in the top 20 in both the 50 and 100 butterflies, and should earn a World Championship slot at the Maria Lenk Trophy in two weeks, if not later this meet in the 100 fly.

The only other notable times of the day were three 1:01’s in the men’s 100 breaststroke. Felipe Silva won in 1:01.44, which ranks in the top 25 in the world, and  is a pretty solid time headed into the Maria Lenk. Tales Cerdeira, who is training with Cielo now and probably has the inside track for the Brazilian medley relay based on last year’s times, was 2nd in 1:01.62. Henrique Barbosa was 3rd in 1:01.81.

Other event winners on the day:

Youth Olympic Games bronze medalist (50 breaststroke) Ana Rodrigues from Portugal won the women’s 100 breaststroke in 1:11.34.
Another Portugese swimmer, Diogo Carvalho, won the men’s 200 free in 1:51.05. Carvalho is one of the best Portugese swimmers in history, and is the holder of 10 individual National Records.
Jessica Cavalheiro won the women’s 200 free in 2:03.09.
Diogo Yabe took the women’s 400 IM in 4:21.49.
In a three-swimmer race, Nadia Veira won the women’s 400 IM in 4:53.87.