The LEN 2013 European Short Course Championships are underway, the ‘LEN Timing System’ still a bit dodgy but improving during the first batch of preliminary heats. Yuliya Efimova set a new championships record of 29.47 in the women’s 50 breaststroke, and the world records were broken in both the men’s 4×50 medley and women’s 4×50 freestyle.
Men’s 50 freestyle
Russia’s Vladimir Morozov posted the fastest time of 20.89, Ukraine’s Andriy Govorov second in 21.22 and Russia’s Sergey Fesikov third in 21.29. Of these Fesikov seemed maybe the most impressive, way ahead at about 40 but then slowing down in the last few meters. Result list here
Women’s 50 breaststroke
Russia ahead again, Yuliya Efimova breaking Moniek Niejhuis’ championships record of 29.68 from Istanbul 2009 with a time of 29.47 now, ahead of Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte in 29.94 and Czech swimmer Petra Chocova in 30.00, the Danes having something to cheer for tonight with Rikke Moller Pedersen clocking 30.06 and 4th. Result list here.
Men’s 200 individual medley
Hungary’s Laszlo Cseh seems invincible in 1:54.48, ahead of Sweden’s Simon Sjödin in 1:54.79 and Germany’s Philip Heintz in 1:55.17. Way ahead after fly and backstroke, and then maybe slowing down to save energy for other feats. Danes definitely rooting for 6th placed Viktor B. Bromer tonight, in 1:55.66. Result list here.
Women’s 100 backstroke
Yay, Denmark’s Mie Ø. Nielsen first in 58.04, ahead of Ukraine’s Daryna Zevina in 58.32 and Czech swimmer Simona Baumrtova in 58.37. See the result list here.
Men’s 200 backstroke
Hungary’s Peter Bernek first in 1:52.32, Poland’s Radoslaw Kawecki second in 1:52.65 and Germany’s Christian Diener third in 1:52.84. Result list here.
Men’s 100 butterfly
Russia’s Evgeny Korotyshkin first in 50.02, Belarus’ Pavel Sankovich second in 50.65 and Russia’s Nikita Konovalov third in 50.66. Result list here.
Women’s 200 butterfly
Hungary’s iron lady Katinka Hosszu first in 2:03.26, Spain’s similar Mireia Belmonte second in 2:04.33 and Great Britain’s Jemma Lowe third in 2:06.37. Result list here.
Men’s 100 breaststroke
Germany’s Marco Koch first in 57.78, Great Britain’s Michael Jamieson second in 58.26 and Italy’s Claudio Fossi third in 58.30. Hungary’s Dani Gyurta back in 58.39 and 6th. Result list here.
Women’s 200 individual medley
Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu also fastest here in 2:05.05, way ahead of Great Britain’s Siobhan-Marie O’Connor second in 2:07.25 and Russia’s Yuliya Efimova in 2:07.89. Result list here.
Mens 400 freestyle
After following the general pace in heat 7 for about 250 meters, Italy’s Andrea Mitchell D’Arrigo leapt forward to lead the field in 3:42.34, Poland’s Pawel Korzeniowski and Filip Zaborowski second and third in 3:43.00 and 3:43.60 respectively. Denmark’s Mads Glæsner was 5th in 3:43.76. Result list here.
Women’s 100 freestyle
Denmark’s Jeanette Ottesen definitely wanted to show her form here right from the start, clocking 25.07 the first 50 but then suffering the last meters to a 5th placed time of 53.04. Sweden’s Sarah Sjöström more evenly paced and impressive in 25.53 and 52.17, to lead the field in tonight’s semifinal. Dutch swimmers Femke Heemskerk and Ranomi Kromowidjojo second and third in 52.76 and 52.96 respectively. Result list here.
Men’s 4×50 medley
Italy’s team of Nicollo Bonacchi, Francesco Di Lecce, Piero Codia and Luca Dottor clocked 1:33.65 to set a new world record, the old one some kind of baseline world record of 1:33.65 – slower than Russia’s European and Championships record of 1:31.80 from Istanbul 2009. Heat 2 results here.
Women’s 4×50 freestyle
Sweden’s team of Michelle Coleman, Sarah Sjöström, Louise Hansson and Magdalena Kuras clocked 1:37.21 and apparently a new world record, way slower than Netherlands’ 1:33.25 European and championships record from Istanbul 2009, and also slower than the Swedish national record. Result list here.
