Magnussen posts a 47.97 in the 100 free on the fourth day of prelims

James Magnussen stated before the meet that he thought that putting more focus on the 200 freestyle would help his 100 and it looks like he may be right. After swimming a 1:47.93 in the semi-final, choosing to bypass the final, he posted the second best time in the world, a 47.97.

Magnussen, who has had plenty of distraction out of the pool, appears to have kept his focus in the pool. Although the time is far off his best of 47.10, this was only preliminary swim.

He split: 23.28/24.69 (47.97)

Kenneth To qualified second in a time of 48.58, beating his season best of 49.44 by almost a full second. Qualifying in the third position was Matt Targett who posted a time of 48.80.

Once again in a backstroke event Emily Seebohm and Belinda Hocking take the top two positions in the semi-final. Seebohm qualified first in the event by swimming a 28.44 just off her season best of 24.37. Hocking posted a season’s best time of 28.58 to qualify second with 18 year old Madison Wilson qualifying third in a time of 28.72 just ahead of Alicia Coutts who recorded a time of 28.73.

Samantha Hamil qualified in the top position for the semi-final of the 200 butterfly recording a time of 2:12.50, which is well of her season’s best of 2:10.73. Jordan White qualified second finishing in a time of 2:13.50 followed by Nicole Mee who posted a time of 2:13.74.

In the men’s 200 IM Daniel Tranter qualified for the semi-final first in a time of 2:01.48 followed by Justin James who posted a 2:02.01 with Kenneth To qualifying third in a time of 2:02.63.

….

This morning preliminaries were a strong follow up to an exciting night of racing, which was highlighted Thomas Fraser-Holmes 200 freestyle.

On the third night of competition at the EnergyAustralia Swimming Championships Thomas Fraser-Holmes finally felt a sense of relief after his awkward false start in the 400 freestyle on the first day of competition,

“I think I can get some sleep tonight,” a relieved Fraser-Holmes told WAtoday.

“There’s been a few sleepless nights but I’m really happy with that.”

“When I was going to the start my arms were shaking that much I couldn’t really feel [them] the first 100 but that’s the card I was dealt and I was happy to come up with a win.”

“I’m used to qualifying for the team on the first day. Having to wait three days [there was] just that anxiety and emotional energy you spend thinking about it and when I get a fresh go at it [in Barcelona] with no distractions I think I’m capable of going faster than that.”

Fraser-Holmes won the event in a time of 1:45.79.

Cameron McEvoy finished second in a time of 1:46.03 followed by 400 freestyle champion David McKeon who posted a time of 1:46.96 and Ned McKendry who recorded a time of 1:47.14.

Emily Seebohm won the 100 backstroke in a time of 59.17, which is an All Comers record and the second fastest time done in the world this year.

Belinda Hocking finished second in a time of 59.63 followed by Megan Nay who finished third recording a time of 1:00.78.

After posting a world’s best in the 100 breaststroke Christian Sprenger qualified for the top spot in the 50 breaststroke final in a time of 27.18, an All Comers record and the fast time in the world this year.

Brenton Rickard, who finished second to Sprenger in the 100 breaststroke, qualified in the second position for tomorrow night’s final in a time of 28.02 with Max Ireland qualifying third in a time of 28.25.

14 year old Chelsey Gubeka took the women’s 1500 freestyle in a time of 16:22.25. She was followed by Leah Cutting who posted a time of 16:51.51 and Bonnie Macdonald who finished third in a time of 16:56.97.

Ashley Delaney won the men’s 100 backstroke in a time of 53.63. He was followed Benjamin Treffers who finished second in a time of 54.15 and Daniel Arnamnart who finished third posting a time of 54.61.

The results in the women’s 200 freestyle semi-final suggests that we should see a great race in the final. Brittany Elmslie qualified first in a time of 1:57.30 followed closely by 400 freestyle champion Bronte Barratt who qualified with a time of 1:57.37.

Emma McKeon qualified third in a time of 1:57.88.

Grant Ervin had the fastest time in the men’s 200 butterfly semi-final recording a time of 1:57.49. Christopher Wright qualified second in a time of 1:58.38 with Mitchell Pratt qualifying third in a time of 1:58.74.

The women’s 100 breaststroke final was an incredible race, which saw Sally Foster come back on Samantha Marshall in the second 50 to win the event by three one-hundredths of a second in a time of 1:07.46.

Sally Foster – 32.04/35.42 (1:07.46)

Samantha Marshall – 31.33/36.16 (1:07.49)

Leiston Pickett finished third in a time of 1:07.70.