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The 100m Freestyle has always been swimming’s blue ribbon event and the Pan Pacs on the Gold Coast will give us all of the excitement we’ve come to expect from this race.
Beginning with the women, it’s almost impossible to look past Australia’s Cate Campbell to take out victory.
The elder of the Campbell sisters, Cate set a sizzling 52.62 to claim top honours in the prelims. Sister, Bronte posted a 53.5 and fellow Aussie, Mel Schlanger was just behind with 53.65.
As the rules of the Pan Pacs only allow for each country to enter their top two in the final, Schlanger will contest the B final.
The top three women all broke Natalie Coughlin’s 2010 Pan Pacs record time of 53.67.
Speaking after the race, Campbell said that she always knew the Prelims were going to be quick.
“I knew that I had to post a good performance. I’m happy just to make it through,” she said.
“That’s my fastest since World’s where I was in the form of my life.”
Campbell went on to say that she had underestimated just how tired she still was from Glasgow, however, judging by today’s results she seems to be handling the tiredness well.
The USA’s Missy Franklin, who is battling a back injury, swam the fourth fastest time of 53.75 and compatriot Simone Manuel posted the fifth fastest time with 53.91.
Canada’s Chantel van Landeghen will swim the A final with the ninth fastest time of 54.73. Miki Uchida of Japan also made the final with the tenth fastest time of 54.86 and Victoria Poon of Canada also made the final with the twelfth fastest time of 55.06.
Australians Britta Elmslie (54.29) and Emma McKeon (54.96) were bumped out along with the USA’s Abbey Weitzeil (54.50) and Shann Vreeland (54.55) due to the two swimmers per country rule.
Putting in a tip for tonight almost seems pointless as it’s impossible to see anyone taking the top spot from Cate Campbell and I suspect younger sister, Bronte will join her on the dais.
A 1-2 for Australia with Franklin rounding out the placings.
The Men’s 100m Free should be just as exciting as the women’s with James Magnussen and Cameron McEvoy taking on Americans Nathan Adrian and Michael Phelps.
Adrian finished the fastest with a time of 48.05, with Magnussen second with 48.25.
Adrian and Magnussen were paired for their prelim.
Phelps swam 48.45 for the third fastest time with McEvoy the fourth fastest with 48.49.
Although the times may not have been perfect, with just two swimmers from each country making the finals, Team USA almost have to swim their best just to secure a birth in the finals.
“The depth we have is incredible”, said Adrian.
In reflecting on his performance in the prelims, Michael Phelps was happy with the quality of his stroke but he knew nothing could be left to chance.
“The first 50 were really good. I knew I had to win that heat if I wanted a chance to swim in the final,” he said.
Phelps was also a lot happier with his turns, after missing his turn at the US Nationals two weeks ago.
Putting issues with his back aside, Magnussen seems confident and relaxed going into the final.
“I’m happy to race anybody on my day. I’m looking forward to the challenge,” he commented.
After this morning’s Prelims, Magnussen suspects the Americans may not have left anything in the tank, but underestimating Adrian or Phelps could prove costly.
In saying that though, this year only Magnussen and McEvoy have broken the 48 second barrier posting times of 47.59 and 47.65, respectively.
The rest of the field will consist of Brazil’s Joao de Lucca who swam the sixth fastest time of 49.02 and compatriot Nicolas Oliveira who swam eighth fastest with a time of 49.13.
Thirteenth fastest Katsumi Nakamura will swim the A final for Japan with a time of 49.30 and Shinri Shioura, also of Japan, was fifteenth fastest with 49.53.
Due to the two swimmers in the final rule, USA’s Ryan Lochte (48.90), Anthony Ervin (49.11), Jimmy Feigen (49.14) and Conor Dwyer (49.19) all missed the A final.
Australia’s Tommasio D’Orsogna also missed out with a time of 49.18.
My tip for tonight is a Magnussen win, with Adrian a close second and I’m going to tip Phelps to just pip McEvoy for third.
Tonight’s final for the Men’s 100m Freestyle should be an absolute cracker.