World champion and World record holder Regan Smith came off of some brutal winter training to win the 100m back (59.75), 100m fly (58.55), and 200m fly (2:10.10) at the 2021 San Antonio Pro Swim (JAN). She scratched out of the 200 back final, but swam the 200 free notching second (1:59.49). By my math, Regan is exactly where she needs to be this early in the season. I see Regan back at her 2020 Des Moines Pro Swim times as she works through Feb and March.
2020 DES MOINES PRO SWIM – REGAN SMITH times right before the COVID shutdown:
- 100 BACK – 58.1
- 200 BACK – 2:06.1
- 100 FLY – 57.34
- 200 FLY – 2:06.39
WAY TOO EARLY PREDICTIONS FOR THE 2021 SUMMER
I’m very optimistic the 2021 Olympics will happen, and I’m optimistic about Regan’s performance at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha. Regan makes the U.S. Olympic Team in the 100 and 200 backstroke, and I think she make Team USA in 100 fly, dropping a 56.5, provided she swims it. She also makes the team in 200 fly, ripping a 2:05.1, provided she swims it.
But who cares what I think…what do you think?
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This is a Gold Medal Media production presented by SwimOutlet.com. Host Gold Medal Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and the co-founder of SwimSwam.com, a Swimming News website.
there will be no Olympics in 2021
Where did she train in November and December? I heard Minnesota closed all pools
Smith seems to have been focusing on fly more post-quarantine. I think this summer (Trials or whatever taper meet) she will go best times in fly, but not as fast as Mel’s predictions. Maybe 56 high/57 low in 100 fly and 2:05 mid-high in 200 fly. Makes team in 200 fly and 3rd/4th in 100.
In backstroke, she will be very fast, maybe close to her best times or dipping right under. Not completely relevant, but I don’t think McKeown will drop a ton of time. Also hard to see Smith going something absurd. It’ll be a close race.
My predictions:
**Regan Smith will swim the 100 butterfly in finals, despite the 100 m backstroke semis on the same night as 100 fly finals.
Events W/ Smith
Women’s 100 M Backstroke:
1st: Regan Smith 57.04 *WR
2nd: Phoebe Bacon 58.12
Women’s 200 M Backstroke:
1st: Regan Smith 2:03.18 *WR
2nd: Kathleen Baker 2:04.85
Women’s 100 M Butterfly
1st: Claire Curzan 56.21 *WJR
2nd: Regan Smith 56.48
Women’s 200 M Butterfly
1st: Regan Smith 2:05.10
2nd: Hali Flickinger 2:05.19
What in the phelpsian lineup
For perspective, in January 2019 (before she broke the world records that summer) she was 2:00.36 in the 200 free, 59.37 in the 100 back, 2:07.53 in the 200 back, 58.85 in the 100 fly and 2:11.34 in the 200 fly.
Also, in January 2018, she was 59.38 in the 100 back and 2:08.64 in the 200 back (and 59.06/2:11.66 in fly), similar to how she was in January 2019, but she went much faster in summer 2019 than summer 2018.
She’s much slower than she was in 2020 at this time, but it’s too early to tell.
Maybe she is training HARDER than ever…
I think that it would be great if Regan Smith and Isabelle Stadden would make the Olympic team in both backstroke events. Two Minnesota girls! Seriously, I think Regan will make 100/200 back, the 200 fly is very possible but the 100 fly could be iffy because there are many girls that are fast. Can’t wait to find out!
Will there be any continuation of the top 100 for 2021 ranking?
Yes, this is in-process. Once Braden starts something, he finishes….
If that’s the case we should maximize that talent and have him figure out how to safely host the 2021 games in tokyo. 😷 🏊♂️🥇🥈🥉