Day 2 Danish Open: World Paralympic Record Set in Prelims

• 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

The second day of the Danish Open did not bring any new Olympic qualifiers to the table, but plenty of good junior results. But the highlight of the day came in prelims, when Lasse Andersen rocked a world record (S10) in the 200 butterfly, swimming 2:11.83. That time crushed the previous world record of 2:13.78, held by Mike van der Zanden of the Netherlands. According to the International Paralympic committee’s current database, it is the fastest long course 200 butterfly in any classification.

Men’s 50 Freestyle

The splash and dash got an extra boost from the participation of Trinidad and Tobago’s five time Olympian George Bovell. The foreigner was able to withstand the best Denmark had to offer and score a win in 22.79. In second was Andreas Schiellerup at 22.91, showing a nice improvement curve over the last year in this race.

Tobias Bjerg repeated his European Junior “B” standard from earlier in the day with a 23.39. Bjerg is still yet to swim his best races, 50 and 100 breaststroke. He medaled last summer at the European Games in breaststroke sprint.

1. Top three finishers
2. George Bovell, Trinidad and Tobago 22.79
3. Andreas Schiellerup, SIGMA 22.91
4. Anders Lie, FARUM 22.93

Women’s 400 Medley

Katrine Villesen continues to have an outstanding competition. After winning the 200 fly and twice breaking the National Junior record yesterday, she won again today. Villesen could not break the junior mark in this race, but will likely take aim at it again this summer at European Juniors.

The top four swimmers in this event were all junior swimmers. In 4th was Sara Nysted, already selected for European Juniors for the Faroe Islands.

Top three finishers

1. Katrine Villesen, Thisted 4:53.62
2. Helena Bach, Holstebro 4:58.94
3. Katrine Hansen, Triton Ballerup 5:00.42

Men’s 200 Butterfly

Nordic record holder and top Danish medal hopeful Viktor Bromer entertained the crowd with a solid winning performance. Bromer cruised a 1:56.97, which put him well ahead of the field.

Bromer has put up some good performances in his Rio leadup, but still hasn’t been able to address his lack of speed. In this race he was out in just 57.03, splitting the race very tightly.

Top three finishers

1. Viktor Bromer, Aalborg 1:56.97
2. Magnus Poulsen, Herlev 2:02.13
3. Mikkel-Emil Rosenbom, Lyngby 2:04.43

Women’s 100 Breaststroke

Like Bromer, Rikke Møller Pedersen was also a cut above the rest in the breaststroke final. Swimming against two swimmers that prefer to start aggressive, she nevertheless led from early on and pulled away to win in 1:07.58.

Finishing third was Josefine Pedersen, who is likely on her way to another European Junior meet. Her stronger event, the 50, was yesterday.

Top three finishers

1. Rikke Møller Pedersen, Holbaek 1:07.58
2. Anouk Elzerman, Netherlands 1:10.19
3. Josefine Pedersen, VAT 1:10.90

Men’s 200 IM

The men’s 200 IM had some Junior heartache, as the second and third place swimmers came up just short of the European Junior team standard.

Franz Johannesen won decisively, outswimming the field on the fly and freestyle legs for the victory. The two juniors needed 2:06.62 to be considered for Hungary.

Top three finishers

1. Frans Johannessen, Esbjerg 2:05.31
2. Andreas Elmgreen, Lyngby 2:07.12
3. Daniel Christian, Farum 2:07.13

Women’s 50 Butterfly

Emilie Beckmann may not be headed to Rio, but she is a good developing swimmer for Denmark who has come a long way in this race. Beckmann dipped under 26 seconds for the first time, winning in 25.96. Her personal best up to now had been 26.17. She was nearly a second slower two years ago.

Another notable result was 14 year old Karoline Barrett, who finished 5th in 27.52 and beat out European Games medalist Julie Jensen.

Top three finishers

1. Emilie Beckmann, Tune 25.96
2. Amalie Mikkelsen, Hovedstaden 27.10
3. Caroline Erichsen, SIGMA 27.44