Brits girls relay wins silver while Foster falters

[lane4]

The quartet of Alison Sheppard, Mel Marshall, Ros Brett and Karen Pickering have won silver in the 400 freestyle relay at the world championships. They tied for silver with America and were behind Germany in a time of 3:40.80, just outside the British record time that placed them 5th in Sydney.

However, Mark Foster messed up his 50 free final coming in tied 7th with 22.44. This was much slower than the 22.19 from his semi-final that had placed him 3rd going into the final.

Good news for Darren Mew - he went 1:01.47 to qualify 7th for tomorrow's 100 breast final.

What are your thoughts on the British performances so far?

Looks like the Germans are back to their best. Aussies also looking very good while America struggling a bit but still picking up medals.

[lunchtime swimmer]

I'd been looking out for results all morning and was worried about the team morale from Foster's failure. I say failure deliberately as although it was right that he was allowed to swim the FS, the very best competitors can produce medals when the pressure's on.
Thrilled about the relay medal - you worry about the media reaction when no medals, although anyone interested in the sport can see good things happening.Melanie Marshall must be chuffed to bits in particular.
Splits were:AS56.15,MM55.22,RB54.76,KP54.67, great to see.
I think Darren Mew has suceeded already by getting to the final with a PB - closing in on Nick Gillingham's 1.01.33 from long ago?
I hope to see PBs throughout the team - it's the 2 or 3 secs over PB that really disappoint.
Finally, I'd hate my boss to know how much searching round I do on ASA,FINA, etc.at the mo!
Anyone else hooked?

[BigFish]

Originally posted by lunchtime swimmer:
Finally, I'd hate my boss to know how much searching round I do on ASA,FINA, etc.at the mo!
Anyone else hooked?

I'm just glad the Omega Live Timing site isn't running for the Worlds, otherwise I'd be out of a job by now! The live feed from the Tour de France is bad enough http://www.swimclub.co.uk/ubb/smile.gif

I'm a little dissapointed by the number of top swimmers missing from the Meet (mainly from the US). Did they screw up in qualifying or are they ill?

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David Cuthbert (www.dartes.co.uk)
news@DaveC.org.uk

[lane4]

Lenny, Misty, Gary, Brooke, Tom are all having a year off top level competition.
Jenny, Dara, Amy, Susie all retired.
Alexandre is ill.

[BigFish]

Thanks for clearing that one up. I think you got most of the names I was thinking of.

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David Cuthbert (www.dartes.co.uk)
news@DaveC.org.uk