![](https://swimswam.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Domeyko2019072607Regan-Smith-140x100.jpg)
2019 ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Tuesday, April 2nd – Saturday, April 6th
- Stadio del Nuoto – Riccione (ITA)
- LCM
- SwimSwam Italia Preview
- SwimSwam Preview
- Meet Site
- Day 1 Recap/Day 2 Recap/Day 3 Recap
- Day 4 Recap
- Start List
- Results
Be sure to check out our SwimSwam Italia Channel for more in-depth and on-site coverage.
Margherita Panziera continues to race with furious purpose, notching her 2nd Italian Record at these National Championships in Riccione. After already nailing the 100m NR with the 58.92 she led-off with on her squad’s medley relay to become the first Italian female ever under 59 in that event, the 24-year-old produced a big-time 2:05.72 tonight in the 200m back.
Panziera opened in 1:01.58 to crush the field from the get-go, closing in 1:04.14 to clinch the gold in 2:05.72. That obliterated the World Championships qualification time of 2:08.90, as well as the field, whose next closest competitor was Erika Francesca Gaetani‘s 2:12.86.
The previous Italian Record was set by Panziera last summer at the European Championships. There in Glasgow, the speedy swimmer clocked 2:06.18 for the gold, so tonight’s mark is monumental for the swimmer as she dipped under the 2:06 barrier for the first time ever.
Her time would have taken gold at the 2016 Olympic Games (!)
With her monster effort, Panziera now takes over as the world’s #1 swimmer this season.
2018-2019 LCM WOMEN 200 BACK
SMITH
2.03.35 *WR
2 | Margherita PANZIERA | ITA | 2.05.72 | 04/06 |
3 | Kylie MASSE | CAN | 2.05.94 | 04/05 |
4 | Kaylee McKEOWN | AUs | 2.06.26 | 07/27 |
5 | Taylor RUCK | CAN | 2.06.70 | 04/05 |
On the all-time list, per USA Swimming, Panziera has now become the 5th fastest performer ever in the event, kicking Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu off the list.
#1 – 2:04.06 | Missy Franklin | USA | 2012 Olympic Games | 7/28/2012 | London |
#2 – 2:04.81 | Kirsty Coventry | ZIM | 2009 World Champs | 8/1/2009 | Rome |
#3 – 2:04.94 | Anastasia Fesikova | RUS | 2009 World Champs | 8/1/2009 | Rome |
#4 – 2:05.68 | Emily Seebohm | AUS | 7/29/2017 | Budapest | |
#5 – 2:05.72 | Margherita Panziera |
2:05 is no joke. 5th all-time, and 2 of the 4 ahead of her were suited.
Masse, Rick, Smith & Baker, (and a handful of other speedsters) have some serious competition here.
The international field for women’s backstroke is getting more loaded all the time. Panziera is now in the medal hunt at 2019 Worlds.
Can Regan Smith swim a 2:05 or better? She’s doesn’t seem to be close to her peak yet.
She lost ER in the 3rd 50.
Makes me wonder which of Missy’s or Piersols 200 back record is more attainable looking towards 2020. Both were near perfect swims, and I’ll always wonder what Piersol would’ve gone in 2009 100 back if he didn’t miss finals with that bad flip turn, 51.5?
His 200 WR will never be broken, at least not in the upcoming years
In 2009 he had a chance again with the 100 at the relay later, went 52 low. I guess he wasnt in his sprintiest form in Rome.
It’s never a good time to say “never”
I’m curious — how do you define “upcoming years”?
I honestly don’t see that record being touched (or even scared) until the next olympic cycle at the earliest. No one has been within even a second of it in 8 years
Dudeman just answeared this question for me.
Congrats!