Van Der Burgh Records Top Three Time in Durban

The finals of the second instalment of the South African Grand Prix in Durban the highlight of the first morning of finals was Cameron van der Burgh‘s 50 breaststroke. van der Burgh put a time of 27.75 to put himself third in the world rankings behind Adam Peaty of Great Britain and Damir Dugonjic of Slovenia.

van der Burgh’s countryman Giulio Zorzi came into the event ranked seventh in the world having posted a 28.14 earlier in the year. Zorzi was not able to beat that time, but his 28.28 was good enough for second.

American Michael Andrew had a strong day of performances. The 15 year old American took the men’s 50 butterfly in a time of 24.22. That is a lifetime best for Andrew who came into the meet with a pervious best of 24.36.

His time would also rank him 12th in the world.

Andrew also finished second to Ricky Ellis (56.25) in the 100 backstroke posting a time of 56.86. He also finished fourth in the 50 breaststroke recording a 28.82 after posting a lifetime best of 28.64 in the prelims.

Serbian Velimir Stjepanovic had a good morning winning the 200 butterfly and 400 freestyle back to back. Stjepanovic posted a 2:01.25 in the 200 butterfly and 3:58.19 in the 400 freestyle.

Chad le Clos pulled out of the 100 freestyle final, the only event he swum in the prelims.

Other winners include:

• Women’s 800 freestyle – Caitlin Kat – 9:01.28
• Men’s 400 IM – Jarry Baxter – 4:32.69
• Women’s 200 freestyle – Erin Gallagher – 2:03.19
• Men’s 100 freestyle – Leith Skankland – 51.12
• Women’s 100 breaststroke – Tatjana Schoenmaker – 1:11.19
• Women’s 100 butterfly – Hannah McLean-Leonard – 1:03.81
• Women’s 50 backstroke – Mariella Venter – 29.65
• Women’s 200 IM – Rene Warnes – 2:19.99
• Women’s 50 freestyle – Erin Gallagher – 26.67
• Men’s 200 breaststroke – Ayrton Sweeney – 2:15.70
• Women’s 200 backstroke – Nathania van Niekerk – 2:16.03