SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (SA OLYMPIC TRIALS)
- King Aquatic Park, Durban, South Africa
- Sunday, April 10th – Saturday, April 16th
- Prelims- 10:00 am local (4 am ET, 1 am PT), Finals- 6:30 pm local (12:30 pm ET, 9:30 am PT)
- Meet Announcement and Olympic Qualifying Times
- Live Results
Wayne Riddin contributed this report:
Men’s 50 Free- Prelims
- Brad Tandy: 22.13
- Douglas Erasmus: 22.26
- Roland Schoeman: 22.77
- Ryan Coetzee: 22.90
- Reynard Wessels: 23.06
- Zane Waddell: 23.08
- Armand Maritz: 23.31
- Brett Walsh: 23.42
Brad Tandy got the Olympic qualifying times off early with a fast 22,13 dash – needing a 22,27 to qualify. This set the ball rolling with Douglas Erasmus then overcoming his disappointment in the 100m freestyle last night with a 22,26 dash and the final heat was left to veteran Roland Schoeman to see if he could rise to the occasion. It was not to be as the 4-time Olympian raced to a 22,77 – but this will pair him up with Tandy in the second semi-final this evening.
Women’s 800 Free- Prelims
- Jessica Whelan: 9:04.45
- Tasmin Tennant: 9:07.05
- Michelle Weber: 9:08.76
- Charlise Oberholzer: 9:08.85
- Samantha Randle: 9:09.24
- Rebecca Meder: 9:10.94
- Abi Meder: 9:11.83
- Robyn Kinghorn: 9:12.71
Jessica Whelan looked comfortable for her 9:04,45 but a host of swimmers can threaten in Tasmin Tennant (9:07,05), Michelle Weber (9:08,76), Charlise Oberholzer (9:08,85) and Samantha Randle (9:09,24). The pace will obviously be a lot faster in the final with little threat of the Olympic QT of 8:33,97 being achieved.
Men’s 100 Fly- Prelims
- Chad le Clos: 51.81
- Dylan Bosch: 53.67
- Ryan Coetzee: 53.82
- Brett Walsh: 54.30
- Nico Meyer: 54.58
- Alard Basson: 54.80
- Eben Vorster: 54.84
- Ralph Goveia: 54.85
The men’s 100 fly was a crowd favorite. Chad le Clos continued to impress with a sound looking 51,81 in the 100m butterfly to keep the QT’s (52,36) falling. Dylan Bosch seemed to be finding better water with a 53,67 swim, while Ryan Coetzee will need to do a little more with his 53,82 performance.
Women’s 200 Back- Prelims
- Nathania Van Niekerk: 2:15.10
- Mariella Venter: 2:16.44
- Karin Prinsloo: 2:16.62
- Samantha Randle: 2:18.12
- Jessica Beukes: 2:20.08
- Catherine Sainsbury: 2:20.08
- Honey Osrin: 2:21.64
- Gabi Grobler: 2:22.16
Nathania van Niekerk looked the best in her 2:15,10 heat swim, as Mariella Venter (2:16,44) and Karin Prinsloo (2:16,62) set the earlier pace in the 200m backstroke. With Samantha Randle swimming 2:18,12 after her 800m freestyle earlier, these two semi-finals could see them edging close to the Olympic time of 2:10,60.
Men’s 1500 Free- Prelims
- Matthew Meyer: 15:32.10
- Josh Dannhauser: 15:51.91
- Danie Marais: 15:53.09
- Brent Szurdoki: 15:55.67
- Dayen Wilson: 16:15.39
- Roberto Gomes: 16:20.65
- Reuben Schoeman: 16:24.19
- Philip Seidler: 16:28.58
Matthew Meyer made it look really easy and enjoys a huge lead with his 15:32,10 – the race will be tougher just behind him as they chase a challenging 15:14,77 QT with Josh Dannhauser (15:51,91), Danie Marais (15:53,09) and Brent Szurdoki (15:55,67) in the line-up.
Women’s 50 Free- Prelims
- Tayla Lovemore: 26.13
- Lehesta Kemp: 26.55
- Emma Chelius, Erin Gallagher: 26.64
- Jessica Ashley-Cooper: 26.94
- Vanessa Mohr: 26.94
- Felicity Passon: 26.97
- Jade Neser: 26.98
A slightly different schedule awaits the women with their prelims this morning and then semi-finals tomorrow morning. It was a smiling Tayla Lovemore who enjoyed a significant lead after posting a quick 26,13 as only eight swimmers broke 27 seconds. Lehesta Kemp (26,55), Erin Gallagher and Emma Chelius shared 26,64 while Jessica Ashley-Cooper (26,94), Vanessa Mohr (26,96), Felicity Passon (26,97) and Jade Neser (26,98) completed the group while it was encouraging to see 13-year-old Olivia Nel ninth on a 27,00.
Paralympic Events:
The Paralympic swimmers had more performances adding to their group of qualifiers. Adri Visser (S5) smashed the 54,29 mark with an outstanding 51,62 finish in the 50m butterfly while Hendri Herbst added another in the S11 50m freestyle with a 27,12 – under the 28,83 by a huge margin.
