Freya Anderson Re-Breaks British Record in 200 Free with Huge Last 50 Split

2019 LEN EUROPEAN SHORT COURSE CHAMPIONSHIPS

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.

In This Story

1
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

1 Comment
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Swimchris
4 years ago

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

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, …

Read More »