USA’s Katie Ledecky downed also the women’s 800 freestyle world record now at the 15th FINA World Championships, clocking 8:13.86 where Rebecca Adlington’s world record from the Beijing 2008 Olympics was 8:14.10.
-
CC photo #580: Second final for Pál at BCN2013
Faroe Islands’ Pál Joensen managed a time of 14:57.76 and fifth in the men’s 1500 meter freestyle this morning at the 15th World Championships in Barcelona, Spain. Final tomorrow!
-
CC photo #579: James Magnussen flexing after winning gold at BCN2013
Impressive, James Magnussen after winning gold in the men’s 100 meter freestyle at the 15th FINA World Championships in Barcelona, Spain. See the result list here.
-
So, what happened to Pál Joensen?
A promising 7:50.81 and 6th in the prelims, and then 7:52.57 and 7th in the final. If you understand Swedish then you are in luck, because he explained to SVT right after the race. Problem simply that he decided to not follow the charge the first few laps, and then realized after a few hundred meters that there was no point trying to catch them. Technique was good though; he told SVT that he might to compromise a bit on that in the 1500, and go for more speed instead.
Life is good though in the Faroe camp. We’re happy that he got into the final at all, after this year with him moving away from home, to Denmark and changing coach twice. Our other three (universality) athletes have all made best times and the two girls Faroese national records. I’m coming down with a cold or something, but other that that, all is swell.
(Pál Joensen and Jordan Harrison after the 800 final)
-
I’m with Jeff, Asia is winning the cheering battle
Read SwimmingWorld, (my comment:) Asia is winning also the swimmer’s entry competition and medal presentations, while USA and Australia seem either bored or stressed-out.
You will think I am overreacting, and that the Americans are behind their swimmers 100 percent. Behind the scenes, you may be right. But in the public eye, it could be better. The Japanese were the loudest team — vocally, at least — tonight, saluting their swimmers before, during and after races. The swimmers appreciated it so much they would wave back after exiting the pool. The Chinese had a set of metal percussion instruments that probably could be heard underwater, and while that might not have been the ingredient that propelled them to such a successful night, it was very helpful.
(Japan’s Aya Terakawa, maybe the most photo-friendly swimmer of BCN2013)
-
Mañana
No post today. Tired, must sleep. Sorry.
(BCN2013 signs on La Rambla)
-
CC photo #578: Rikke 200 breast WR at BCN2013
Denmark’s Rikke Møller Pedersen reacts to setting a new world record in the women’s 200 meter breaststroke at the 15th FINA World Championships in Barcelona, Spain. She clocked 2:19.11, the old record Rebecca Soni’s (USA) 2:19.59 from the London 2012 Olympics. See the result list here.
-
CC photo #577: VDB and Zorzi gold and bronze at BCN2013
South Africa’s Cameron van der Burgh and Giulio Zorze gold and bronze in the men’s 50 meter breaststroke at the 15th FINA World Championships in Barcelona, Spain. It was a good night for South Africa, as Chad Le Clos also won gold in the men’s 200 butterfly. See the result lists here.
