Just minutes after we reported about Argentina’s Federico Grabich breaking his own national record in the finals of the men’s 100 free, where he won gold with a time of 48.26, he’s accomplished the feat for a THIRD time today, leading off Argentina’s 400 free relay with a time of 48.11.
Grabich’s lead-off wasn’t enough to top Santo Condorelli‘s 47.98, which put Canada out to an early lead over the field, but it put Argentina in 2nd place, which kept them in medal contention until the final leg dove in. Argentina settled for 4th behind Brazil (Gold), Canada (Silver), and the USA (Bronze), but, notably, was ahead of the Americans for almost the entirety of the race.
Grabich, meanwhile, has gotten even closer to cracking 48 seconds, which only two swimmers have been able to do so far this year. Before Grabich finished his 100 free prelims swim, the Argentine record stood barely under 49 seconds. The old record was a 48.99 done in 2009 by Matias Aguilera. Let’s take a look at how Grabich split his race in the 100 free prelims and finals and then the 400 relay lead off.
Prelims — 23.37/25.23 = 48.60
Finals — 22.95/25.31 = 48.26
Relay lead off– 23.37/24.74 = 48.11
While in finals of the individual 100 free, Grabich pushed his first 50 and held on to finish the race and ultimately strike gold, he took out the first 50 in the relay in the exact same time as he did in prelims today. He did an excellent job not letting it all out in the first 50, which can be easy to do at a meet like this with such an exciting atmosphere (especially in a relay), and seriously turned on the jets on the way back. He out-split everyone in the field by a long shot on the back half, and was the only lead-off leg able to come home under 25 seconds.
As the dust settles from the explosive first night of the Pan Am Games, Condorelli is now tied with Russian Vlad Morozov atop the world 100 free rankings, while Grabich moves up from 5th to 4th in a matter of minutes.
2014-2015 LCM Men 100 Free
NING
47.84
| 2 | Cameron McEVOY | AUS | 47.94 | 08/05 |
| 3 | Vladimir MOROZOV | RUS | 47.98 | 04/19 |
| 3 | Santo CONDORELLI | CAN | 47.98 | 07/14 |
| 5 | Federico GRABICH | ARG | 48.11 | 07/14 |
Grabich has certainly left his mark on these Games after just one day of competition, and he’s shown the world that he’s not messing around. We’ll see what he can do in some of his other races, like the 50 and 200 free as well as the 100 back, later on in this meet. He’s also set to swim on Argentina’s remaining 800 free and 400 medley relays.
As mentioned by Jorge .The argentine swimming team is being advised and helped by Bill Sweetenham since 2013.Bill has left his mark and knowledge in the team and coaches,who now feel more confident and and enpowered. Bill went to the altitude training camp in Mexico for 3 weeks last May and we could see Federico was coming strong.(although we thought he was going to better at 200 ,but obviously would have been different if fresh)
Still a huge way to go but not only Federico ,also Santiago Grassi in Butterfly ,Andrea Berrino in Doha in Back,proved that with organization and consistent work ,we can get closer to the world level .Thanks for your analysis !very Sharp !Raul Araya
Hanser Garcia did not have access to world class facilities and world class coaching (which says a lot about his raw talent). Grabich, I believe, enjoys better conditions. He is not that young, yes, but remember Brent Hayden, who really broke through only at 24 and had the best part of his career between 27 and 29 years of age …
No TM. Grabich and all the Argentina team is training under the tutelage of australian coach Bill Sweetenham. He will not dissapear. Trust me
So grabich improved a full second in the same day ? And he isn’t that young either. I am predicting another hanser Garcia where he had a couple of 48 lows then completely disappeared.
Bolles!!!!!
Santo going 47.98.. Schooling went 48.58 at the SEA games.. Need to see what Murphy and dressel got in the 100 free
wow – is Condorelli training at USC this summer?
No, he is training with Coley Stickels.
vasili – see here. Condorelli not training at USC this summer. http://swimswam.com/usc-all-american-santo-condorelli-to-redshirt-ncaa-season-train-with-coley-stickels/
The entire field will swim sub 47.8 at the Rio 100m final. Crazy depth in the sport now.