World record at Aussie trials!

[Steve]

If you didn't think the Aussie Trials were fast, think again! Here's the result of the women's 100 free semi finals:

1. Lisbeth lenton: 53.66 WR
2. Jodie Henry: 53.77 (ties the old WR)
3. Alice Mills: 54.25 (0.3 under Henry's old Australian and commonwealth record)

Absolutely sensational - Lenton went off like a shot in the first semi, looking absolutely superb as you might expect. She was right on de Bruijns split then held it together superbly in the last 15m to win in the WR. Then in he second semi Henry had to follow that and almost managed it; again right on the 50 split from de bruijn but just faded in the last 10m.

The Australian women's 4x100m relay team looks like it might be quite good!

Elswehere, Jim Piper just missed Ian Edmond's commonwealh record in the 200 breast with 2:10.70; Petria Thomas was on WR pace at 150 in the 200 fly but faded to 2:06.79 and Ian Thorpe won the 100 free from Ashley Callus in 49.86. Michael Klim was down in 5th but made the relay squad.

[Bazza]

Was Klim expecting to do much here? He's a bit of a forgotten man these days isn't he?

As for the 100 free, yes the women looking awesome, but the men look pretty weak. I know 4 or 5 of them have swum sub 50 but in the final only Thorpe and Callus managed it. Compare that to USA or world champs Russia and it doesn't look good.

[swimbuoy]

Lenton to fold in the final & finish 3rd behind Mills & Henry??

Only joking ;) - her swim was absolutely amazing - I thought De Bruins world record would be around for much longer. This swim certainly puts the British record to shame so lets hope the likes of Marshall can at least post sub 55 swims at our trials.

[Steve]

She certainly wasn't expecting to swim so fast:

<img src="http://www.swimming.org.au/gallery/images/photos/M_200491234012.jpg">

As for the final, unfortunately she did fold a bit in the 100 fly, so lets hope she qualifies for the team tonight.

And Klim certainly isn't the forgotten man as far as the Aussie public were concerned - he got the biggest cheer after Thorpe, but I think he'll be glad just to make the relay squad. Possibly the 100 fly is a better shot for him. Tara will know more ont his than me.

[selkie]

Klim's had some horrible, horrible injury problems the last couple of years which led to operations on his back, ankle, and shoulder. He hadn't swam at an elite level meet since 2002. His tie for 5th place in the 100 free should put him in the Aussie relay pool in Athens, and I don't know if I'd call his comback fully complete, but it's impressive how far he's come after all the injuries.

[Steve]

Lenton to fold in the final & finish 3rd behind Mills & Henry??

Only joking ;) - her swim was absolutely amazing - I thought De Bruins world record would be around for much longer. This swim certainly puts the British record to shame so lets hope the likes of Marshall can at least post sub 55 swims at our trials.
Close....but no cigar!

1st Henry - 53.83 (3rd fastest time ever I think)
2nd Lenton - 54.16
3rd Mills - 54.26

Add into that the fact that Petria Thomas swam 54.92 in the heats, but pulle dout of the semis to concentrate on the 200 fly final last night and the Aussie relay team looks awesome.

Probably also worth mentioning that (and I'm sure she wont mind me telling you) forum member Tara swam a PB of 58.5 in the 100 free heats yesterday and won bronze as part of the Melbourne Vicentre 4x200 freestyle relay last night, so well done to her! :king:

[Bazza]

RE Klim I guess my question should have been was he expectED to do much here. As in is he fully recovered but has had a disappointing meet (maybe he thought he could get an individual swim or two and be in better shape by Athens), or is he still very much on the road to recovery?

I was well aware of all his injury problems but thought he had been back in training for at least a year?

Also Steve, will Petria get the relay spot? Does she not have to get top 5-6 in the final to be considered?

[swimbuoy]

Close....but no cigar!

1st Henry - 53.83 (3rd fastest time ever I think)
2nd Lenton - 54.16
3rd Mills - 54.26

Add into that the fact that Petria Thomas swam 54.92 in the heats, but pulle dout of the semis to concentrate on the 200 fly final last night and the Aussie relay team looks awesome.

Yes both aussie relays are looking in great shape. Watch out for the Yanks though this will certainly sting them into action, a relay with two or three sub 54 swimmers though is gonna be very tough to beat!!

Are we thinking both Lenton & Jones have a problem with finals??

[selkie]

Also Steve, will Petria get the relay spot? Does she not have to get top 5-6 in the final to be considered?

If the Aussiess use the same guidelines as the US, anyone who made the team in any event is considered to be part of the possible relay pool. (Jenny Thompson has been on the US 4x200 a couple times without finishing in the top 6)

[swimbuoy]

Klim's had some horrible, horrible injury problems the last couple of years which led to operations on his back, ankle, and shoulder. He hadn't swam at an elite level meet since 2002. His tie for 5th place in the 100 free should put him in the Aussie relay pool in Athens, and I don't know if I'd call his comback fully complete, but it's impressive how far he's come after all the injuries.

Indeed, Klim has had a whole host of injury problems since the 2000 Games & he has done well to be swimming at all. I would consider his recovery par for the course whereas for Petria Thomas to be swimming as fast as she is after her 3rd shoulder reconstruction defies belief.

[Steve]

RE Klim I guess my question should have been was he expectED to do much here. As in is he fully recovered but has had a disappointing meet (maybe he thought he could get an individual swim or two and be in better shape by Athens), or is he still very much on the road to recovery?

I was well aware of all his injury problems but thought he had been back in training for at least a year?

Also Steve, will Petria get the relay spot? Does she not have to get top 5-6 in the final to be considered?
Similar to Britain's policy for relays - I think that maybe one or two (1st and second at the trials) are guranteed but the others are fair game for a challenge so can be replaced if deemed in the team's best interests. Being as the next fastest tiome after the top three was 55.5, I would say that Petria will get a swim in that event; certainly the media here think she will as they are touting her for a possible 6 golds (which includes all three relays) - she won't win 6, but has the opportunity.

[Rachel]

Are we thinking both Lenton & Jones have a problem with finals??

That's a good question.... in my humble opinion, I'd say Jones - almost definately... and while on the subject of Jones, I'll preface it with a big this is just my opinion, but gawd, there's been a lot of examples for an opinion that she seems to have some temperament problems for a swimmer of her experience... some of which reared their ugly head a few weels ago...! Anyway, as for Lenton, I'd say I'd have to see more 'examples' of it to reckon she has a problem with finals, but I reckon she did well esp. after the hugeness of the night before and all the media attention etc. that followed ... :)

[Dreama]

maybe if petria thomas wins some golds this year she might smile for a change....anyone remember the commonwealths, very miserable!