Danish Open Day 4 2016 (Olympic, European Championship and European Junior Championship Qualifying)
- April 13-17, Bellahøj Swimming Stadium
- Prelims: 10 a.m local time (4 am EST)
- Finals: 17:30 local time (11:30 EST)
- Live results
- Psych sheets
- Live scoreboard
- Olympic Qualifying Times/Selection Criteria
There was just one new name added to the Olympic roster on Day 4, with a couple swimmers making game attempts. Pal Joensen, after an odd 400 free performance on day 1, swam to a victory and qualifying time in the 1500.
Emilie Beckmann continues to improve in the 100 butterfly, and will swim that event at the European Championship. Anton Ipsen tried to chase Joensen in the 1500 but ended up just missing the cut.
Men’s 200 Backstroke
Alexander Gliese is the undercover Dane. The UMBC freshmen has Danish parents that currently live in the US, and is giving some hope to a country that has never had much to cheer for in this race. Gliese led all the way, fighting off a good effort from junior swimmer Andreas Elmgreen to claim the victory.
Gliese’s time was just two seconds off the Danish record and he could certainly get there in the next couple years.
Top three finishers
- Alexander Gliese, UMBC, 2:03.34
- Andreas Elmgreen, Lyngby 2:04.06
- Alexander Wildenschild, Esbjerg 2:06.09
Women’s 50 Backstroke
Julie Jensen, already the junior record holder in 50 freestyle and 50 butterfly, is beginning to take aim at Mie Nielsen’s 50 backstroke record. Tonight she got under 29 seconds for the first time, to win in 28.98.
Anna Nielsen, who pushed the underwater right to the borderline, got enough of an advantage off the start to outlast Victoria Bierre for second.
Top three finishers
- Julie Jensen, A6 28.98
- Anna Nielsen, Lyngby 29.80
- Victoria Bierre, Gladsaxe 29.81
Men’s 100 Freestyle
Paul Biedermann showed why he is the top male swimmer at this competition. The German 200 freestyle world record holder let Anders Nielsen charge out to an early lead, then gently reeled him into and got the touch in 49.82. Nielsen meanwhile looked a little too stressed the and faded to a 49.9 after a 23.8 on the first 50.
Kevin Christensen, who struggled off the start, closed well and got third in 50.32.
Top three finishers
- Paul Biedermann, Germany 49.82
- Anders Nielsen, Farum 49.90
- Kevin Christensen, Farum 50.34
Women’s 100 Butterfly
Jeanette Ottesen calmly dispatched the field with another world class 100 butterfly swim. She dominated off the start, and swam away from the field the rest of the way to posting a 57.32.
Emilie Beckmann continues to make respectable progress as the next star in this event. She lowered her personal best once again to 59.13. Although short of Olympic qualifying, she can still make it if she improves at the European Championships.
- Jeanette Ottesen, Vejle 57.32
- Emilie Beckmann, Tune 59.13
- Caroline Erichsen, SIGMA 1:00.69
Men’s 100 Breaststroke
Tobias Bjerg grinded out another victory in this race, which is dominated by younger Danish swimmers at the moment. Although he trailed Niklas Hedegaard at the 50, he had the best second lap in the field to win easily in 1:02.68
Top three finishers
- Tobias Bjerg, Aarhus 1:02.68
- Christian Rasmussen, Odense 1:03.16
- Kristoffer Moos, Aalborg 1:03.48
Women’s 200 Freestyle
Line Bruun used superior pacing to outlast her competitors in a tightly packed 200 final. Although she was just 6th halfway through the race, she surged to third at the 150 then roared home to a 2:02.40 victory.
Anina Lund, who has been having a nice bounce back meet, was second in a tie with Marina Hansen, both a fingernail behind Bruun at 2:02.42.
Top three finishers
- Line Bruun, Aalborg 2:02.40
- Anine Lund, SIGMA 2:02.42
- Marina Hansen, SIGMA 2:02.42
Men’s 1500 Freestyle
Much like the men’s 400, this event was one of the few with potential for two Olympic times. Anton Ipsen had already made the team in the 400, whereas Pal Joensen was facing his last chance.
Joensen was in control of the race the entire way, and broke Ipsen at the end to take the win in 15:04.13 and qualify for Rio. Ipsen was an agonizing .2 off the cut in 15:07.70.
Top three finishers
- Pal Joensen, Aalborg 15:04.13
- Anton Ipsen, SIGMA 15:07.70
- Oli Mortensen, Havnar 15:38.41
