British butterflier Ellen Gandy briefly held the top spot in the World Rankings of the 100 fly earlier today. But that was purely on the basis of time zones, as she lives, trains, and is competing in Australia this weekend.
The reaction from the home shores of Great Britain was swift and powerful on the 2nd day of the British University and College Sports Championships in Sheffield. Fran Halsall put up a 57.67. That stands as the best time in the world, the 4th-best time of her career. Considering that she was a 1:01 at this meet last year, this swim is very exciting.
Meanwhile, another world-best time came down from Lizzie Simmonds in 2:07.92. She was fantastic late last year in short course (breaking the European Record) and continues that trend here in long course. This swim is already much faster than she was at Worlds last season.
Last season, both swimmers saved their season-best swims for the 2nd leg of Worlds qualifying, which was not until June. This year, it seems as though they’re all preparing to knock their qualifying out at the first round in March, given the relative “flop” that most saw in Shanghai.
Halsall would tack on a 24.95 in the 50 free. Both swimmers scratched the finals.
The meet also had at least one very interesting swim from a “futures” perspective. 19-year old Callum Jarvis out of Bath won the men’s 200 free in 1:51.83. In the last two months, he’s chopped almost 4 seconds off of his lifetime best in this race.
Aswimfan
I don’t think Lowe is as good a 200 flyer as Gandy due to her inconsistency, But when she gets it right she is extremely fast (Faster than Gandy in the 100/200 fly last year). I do actual think Gandy will again perform better in London, just that Lowe will get it right at nationals where she can swim slow heats/semi’s etc.
I agree with your list of strongest candidates for gold though, Interesting that Gandy went out in 59.1 at NSW titles………Learning to swim the Chinese way maybe?
Jack,
do you know something about Lowe that we don’t? How can you be so confident that Lowe will beat Gandy?
Gandy won silver at worlds last year where Lowe finished last, and Gandy just busted out a 2:05.95 today at NSW state. Lowe
As I predicted just yesterday, I think the strongest candidates for gold in London are Zige – Jiaoyang – Gandy
I have a feeling, like many other countries, but probably more so for Britian is a vast majority of swimmers will be faster at trials than at Olympics. The home Olympics can also become a large burden as much as a positive influence.
I genuinely think Halsall has a better shot at 100fly gold rather than 100free in London, Big call considering her 53.3 split here (Off 25.2) but she went 57. in the fly (One in the relay) twice within 40 minutes of eachother, unrested. Similar to Vollmer’s 57.5 warning shot last year.
Prediction……..Halsall to win trials in 57.0 (Being British and humble haha)……I think she could go 56. at trials though. Gandy second also under the BR, Lowe winning the 200fly. When she gets it right, Halsall is near perfect in fly events, I always think of the 2009 Duel where Halsall was beaten off the walls by Vollmer and Magnuson everytime but pulled it back and won. Less walls LC… Read more »