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The 100m freestyle world record could be under threat when James Magnussen leads a hot field into Monday night’s final at Olympic swimming trials in Adelaide.
World champion Magnussen stormed into the decider on Sunday night, clocking 47.93 seconds to become the first man in the world to break the 48-second barrier this year.
Ominously for his domestic and international rivals, Magnussen described the swim as “pretty cruisey” and says he’s yet give his all over the last 25 metres.
The 20-year-old has made no secret of his desire to break Brazilian Cielo’s world mark of 46.91 seconds, set in a super suit at the farcical 2009 world championships in Rome.
Some predicted the record could stand for a decade on the return to textile suits but remarkably Magnussen is closing in on the mark and says he will be striving for it in the final.
Even if he doesn’t break it, fans in Adelaide should expect something special with Magnussen predicting he will improve on his 47.49-second swim at last year’s world titles in Shanghai, the fastest 100m swim in a textile suit.
“I haven’t really had to push through that last 25 (metres) yet, which is usually my strength, but have been able to sort of let my foot off the pedal,” said Magnussen, who has also been sick in the lead-up to trials.
“… I’m pretty confident I’ll go below that time I did at worlds, 47.49, so maybe somewhere in the low 47s.
“I’ll certainly be going for it (the world record).”
Magnussen’s form has it looking like the rest of the field will be racing for second in what shapes up as one of the battles of the meet to secure the second individual spot in the event in London.
Matt Targett (48.56) looks in good form after qualifying second fastest ahead of James Roberts (48.60), Tommaso D’Orsogna (48.66) and Kyle Richardson (48.76).
Eamon Sullivan, Cameron McEvoy and Matt Abood also made the final but Michael Klim missed out.
The top six finishers in the final will be considered for selection as 4x100m relay swimmers.
The heats of the women’s 100m final get underway on Monday morning, with Libby Trickett resuming her quest to go to London.
Trickett narrowly missed out on a berth in the 100m butterfly, finishing third, but will have high hopes of a top six finish.
Alicia Coutts, Melanie Schlanger, Cate Campbell and Yolane Kukla are also expected to be in the mix.
Jess Schipper is favourite for Monday night’s 200m butterfly final after the withdrawal of Stephanie Rice, who claimed the 200m individual medley title from Coutts on Sunday night.