Daniel Wallace Misses 400 Free Final on Day 1 of British Trials

2016 BRITISH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS/OLYMPIC TRIALS

British star Daniel Wallace has missed the final of the men’s 400 free on day 1 of the 2016 British Olympic Trials. He swam to an 11th-place finish in the preliminary heats with a 3:53.47, which leaves him outside of Tuesday evening’s finals in the event. It took 3:52.08 to place in the top 8 and qualify for the final.

While this is not one of Wallace’s two primary events – he made World Championship finals in both the 200 and 400 IMs last year, including a 4th-place finish in the 200 – he did place 3rd at last year’s British National Championship meet in 3:46.15.

The top two seeds into finals went to Millfield’s James Guy (3:48.74) and Perth City’s Stephen Milne (3:48.81). Guy took silver at last year’s World Championships.

It’s not time for British fans to fret about one of their best individual medal hopes, though. Wallace had virtually no incentive to earn a qualifying spot in the men’s 400 free – while there’s no conflict in the British Olympic Trials schedule, the 400 free and the 400 IM both come on the first day of the actual Olympics. That’s a double that nobody with a chance to medal in either race is going to attempt in August.

Wallace’s biggest races are yet to come. Besides the IMs, he’ll also be shooting to capture a spot in the 800 free relay that won World Championship gold last year.

Wallace now gets an extended break before he has to race again on Friday.

His remaining schedule:

  • Friday, April 15th – 200 IM prelims/200 IM finals
  • Sunday, April 17th – 400 IM prelims/400 IM finals
  • Monday, April 18th – 200 free prelims/200 free finals

 

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Dee
8 years ago

You have to feel for Wallace – Hopefully it was misjudged but I fear not. James Guy was beside him, cruising and didnt kick last 25m, and still Wallace was 5s back.

Positive side – Guy looked incredible, he floated the last 200 splitting 29s… Much more coming.

completelyconquered
Reply to  Dee
8 years ago

I don’t feel for Wallace. The guy is a known internet bully.

Gators
8 years ago

Let’s Go Dan, you got this!

Gina
8 years ago

Daniel doing a Brexit.

anonymoose
Reply to  Gina
8 years ago

thats why i hope you’ll never stop commentating on this website xD

Iain
8 years ago

Though that is just for automatic qualifiers.
Last year the ‘pullbuoy’ site was very good for tracking qualifications, though obviously there’s nothing there yet.

bobo gigi
8 years ago

Ok. I had not yet read the British qualifying system. There’s a possibility of saving. That’s really in vogue right now. 🙂
http://swimswam.com/think-the-french-rio-qualifying-times-are-tough-try-great-britains/
Wow. Times are faster than those at French nationals in all events except the women’s 400 IM and the men’s 50 and 100 free! 🙂

bobo gigi
8 years ago

Not a good sign for the rest of his meet.
Taper problem?
Or he simply slept in prelims? We’ll have the answer later in the week.
He’s an important piece of the British 4X200 free relay.

Anyway, even if he has an average meet, I believe British coaches can save a few people like in France. Right?

Iain
Reply to  bobo gigi
8 years ago

Correct – there are six ‘wild card’ picks

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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