Sophie Pascoe Clocks 2 World Para Swimming Records To Kick-off Her NZ Open

2019 NEW ZEALAND OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Paralympian Sophie Pascoe kicked off the 2019 New Zealand Open Championships in style, nailing two World Para Swimming World Record son just day 1. First in the women’s S9 50m free, the 26-year-old multi-Paralympic medalist clocked a record time of 27.32, easily dipping under the qualifying mark for the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships set for London in September.

Pascoe also collected a winning mark of 1:07.41 in the women’s S9 100m backstroke to produce her 2nd monster World Record of the night. That, too, qualifies the Christchurch native for London.

Of her performance, particularly in the 100m back, Pascoe stated, “It was a really quick turn around, I wasn’t quite expecting that time but the times obviously prove I’m on good form. I’ve had a really good lead up and to be able to back it up after the 50 Free, I couldn’t ask for much more than that!”

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? Confused
4 years ago

I’m disappointing tbh. Why did she feel the need to be classed down? Can’t help but think someone has gone and stuffed up this whole reclassification thing big time.
A decade long S10 Swimmer now S9 sets a 50free WR that is faster than the S10 WR then almost immediately sets a new S9 100back WR that wipes the S9 WR of a previous S10 swimmer who became an S9 swimmer and who is now an S8 swimmer and the holder of both the S9 and S8 100back WRs and, who recently swam 50 free under 29s to set a new S8 50free WR. Neither appear to have degenerative impairments. Anyone else confused?

Bobc
Reply to  ? Confused
4 years ago

well it’s not really up to you to be disappointed (or not), not is it up to her regarding being classed up or down. The January 2018 manual and it’s accompanying mandatory review for all 1-10s & 14s required her to present for classification. Any athlete with an R status (no review year) is subject to being pulled for classification at any event with WPS classification. Any athlete with an R or an R with a review year 2020 or earlier must be seen before next June or they won’t be eligible for entry in Tokyo.

The lines between sort classes have shifted somewhat and that might come into play. Presumably neither you nor I have access to her medical… Read more »

? Confused
Reply to  Bobc
4 years ago

I am disappointed. It’s not up to you to tell me what I can and cannot be disappointed about. There has been great rivalry and close, exciting racing between her and Rivard over the years. Now she’s in a class where no one comes near her. Only very rarely do we see athletes so far ahead of the field in Olympic Swimming, now we see it in most classes in Para Swimming. I’d be more concerned that the ‘shift’ you refer to is killing the sport. As for ‘expecting athletes to perform according to my preconceived notion of their ability denying exceptionalism and trivialising achievement’, the patronising classification system is managing to do that perfectly well on its own without… Read more »

RenéDescartes
Reply to  ? Confused
4 years ago

When you are willfully ignorant and making comments on a website, another random commenter can absolutely tell you what you can or cannot be disappointed about.

Just Saying
Reply to  Bobc
4 years ago

Let’s stick to the facts – I have a disability and I am a 10. I am now classified as more disabled but swim faster than I have before. Give me a break Bob! Something is wrong here or the system has a problem. I wouldn’t want to be trying to promote para swimming to mass audiences who want fairness in sport. It seems some athletes are protected species while others have their reputations trashed. It’s time to do something before the sport’s reputation is damaged beyond repair. Transparency in classification is a must – competitors are entitled to know why their opponents are classified as they are. If you want all the benefits of competition – some degree of… Read more »

Fred
Reply to  Just Saying
4 years ago

Couldn’t agree more, Just Saying. The protected ones declare they have a disability then it is all smoke and mirrors after that with some getting around in a fashion that just cannot be reconciled with any genuine diagnosis. Competitors are entitled to understand their competition and to be given explanations as to why they are on a level playing field (or not!).

? Confused
Reply to  Just Saying
4 years ago

There is a lack of transparency and certain medical information should not be private, no matter how hard BobC labor’s that one. A ‘..shifting of class boundaries’ , his other favourite to hit home hard? That ‘mystical shift’ should be black and white. If it is not then WPS are in violation of the Classification Code. If Sophie Pascoe hadn’t been classed S9, who would have cleaned up the W S9 class? I wouldn’t categorise Sophie Pascoe as ‘cunning’ by any means, if anything she has been very open and opinionated throughout her highly decorated career as S10 swimmer. Post Melbourne classification though, Sophie was classed S9 C SB9 C SM10 R. Then, S9 C SB9 C SM9 C She’s… Read more »

Christian
Reply to  Just Saying
4 years ago

JUST SAYING well stated.

About Retta Race

Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having just earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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