Relay Analysis: Apple Torches Pair of 45-Point Free Splits For DC Trident

2020 INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING LEAGUE: MATCH 2

• Sunday, October 18: 6 PM – 8 PM Local Time (12 noon – 2 PM U.S. Eastern, 1 AM- 3 AM J+1 Japan)
• Monday, October 19: 4 PM – 6 PM Local Time (10 AM – 12 PM U.S. Eastern, 11 PM – 1 AM Japan Time)
• Duna Arena – Budapest, Hungary
• Short Course Meters (SCM) Format
• 2020 ISL Scoring Format
• 2020 ISL Prize Money and Bonuses
• How To Watch
• Full Match 2, Day 1 Results
• Match 1 & 2 Results Merged
• Teams: London Roar, DC Trident, Aqua Centurions, Iron

The London Roar won three of the four relays on day one of the International Swimming League’s second match in Budapest, propelling them to a 97-point advantage at the halfway mark. The Aqua Centurions lead a tight race for second, thanks in part to a decisive win in the men’s 400 free relay.

Below, we’ll dive into the splits from all four relays on day one and look at the key difference makers.

Women’s 400 Freestyle Relay

Lead-offs

Flying Splits

The Roar won the women’s 400 free relay fairly decisively, with Marie Wattel‘s 52.49 lead-off and Maria Kameneva‘s 52.14 third split leading the way.

Ranomi Kromowidjojo led an otherwise mediocre Iron squad to third with an impressive 52.02 first leg, while Linnea Mack and Valentine Dumont also impressed for the DC Trident and Aqua Centurions, respectively.

Men’s 400 Freestyle Relay

Lead-offs

Flying Splits

A couple of swims jump off the page here, but none more so than Zach Apple‘s 45.15 anchor, which moved the DC Trident up from fourth at the exchange to second at the finish. The split is only 0.21 off of the individual world record (44.94), and is the fastest we’ve seen in the ISL. Per USA Swimming’s Data Hub, it is the 12th-fastest relay split of all-time. Maxime Rooney had the top split in the first match at 45.86.

Alessandro Miressi joined Apple sub-46, anchoring home the victorious Aqua Centurions, who had all-around strong legs, in 45.77. The Centurions could’ve been even faster if they had Szebasztian Szabo on the ‘A’ squad, as the Hungarian had the fastest lead-off (46.83) from their ‘B’ team.

Women’s 400 Medley Relay

Backstroke Lead-off

Breaststroke Split

Butterfly Split

Freestyle Split

Kira Toussaint and Amy Bilquist had strong 56-second performances for London and DC on backstroke, as the two clubs would ultimately go 1-2 in the event. On the other end of the spectrum, the lead-off was a major issue for the Centurions, as neither of their women were under a minute, and they would end up placing sixth and seventh (with one of Iron’s teams DQed).

The breaststrokers were also impressive, with four under 1:05, led by world record holder Alia Atkinson in 1:03.83.

Men’s 400 Medley Relay

Backstroke Lead-offs

Breaststroke Splits

Butterfly Splits

Freestyle Splits

Apple, Szabo and Miressi kept their momentum rolling from the free relay, also producing standout legs in the medley. Apple hit 45.43 for two sub-46 free swims, while Miressi clocked 46.06, and Szabo was the only one sub-50 on fly. Duncan Scott and Marcelo Chierighini were also in the 46s for the second time in the session.

Guilherme Basseto was a pleasant surprise for Iron, beating London’s Guilherme Guido on backstroke in 50.24, while four breaststrokers were impressively under 57.