2019 LEN EUROPEAN SHORT COURSE CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Wednesday, December 4th – Sunday, December 8th
- Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Glasgow, Scotland
- SCM
- Entry List
- Competition Schedule
- Results Documents
- Live Video – LEN TV
British 18-year old Freya Anderson turned in 6th place at the 150 meter mark of the women’s 200 free final on Saturday, but made up a second-and-a-half over the last lap to win in 1:52.77. In the process, she broke her own British Record in the event, clearing the 1:53.33 that she swam 2 weeks ago at the European Derby meet of the International Swimming League.
Prior to that swim, Fran Halsall held the record for a decade in 1:53.79.
The eyes did not fool in this swim: Anderson’s race was much more of a back-half effort than we usually see to her. Specificallly, she was at 1:25.46 after 150 meters on Saturday, as compared to 1:24.70 that she split at 150 meters in her previous record swim. But she made it all back up in that last 50 meters.
1ST 50 | 1ST 50 | 2ND 50 | 3RD 50 | 4TH 50 | TOTAL TIME | |
Fran Halsall | Former British Record – 2009 | 26.70 | 28.27 | 29.23 | 29.59 | 1:53.79 |
Freya Anderson | Old British Record – 2019 | 26.84 | 28.92 | 28.94 | 28.63 | 1:53.33 |
Freya Anderson | New British Record | 27.02 | 29.24 | 29.20 | 27.31 | 1:52.77 |
This goes down as Anderson’s 2nd individual gold of the meet, after a 51.49 in the 100 free earlier this week. She had no major international, individual senior level medals in her resume prior to this meet, though she had a few junior-level golds and relay golds previously.
”I’m overwhelmed and really happy as I did absolutely not expect this medal,” Anderson said after the swim.
Anderson beat-out the Meet Record holder and two-time defending World Champion in long course Federica Pellegrini, who finished 2nd in the race in 1:52.77.
Everyone look out for footage of this race! Thrilling throughout. What a talent Freya is and will get stronger as she matures. A true racer in every sense