Russian women have it pretty tough when it comes to relays. While the Russian men are busy scaring the American and French freestylers, more often that not the Russian women's teams have been mere observers during recent major finals, whether they qualified for the Top 8 or not.
That might be about to change with the recent breakthrough of Veronika Popova into the upper echelons of women's freestyle sprinting. On Day Two of the Russian Champs, Popova, 20, raced to a new national record in the 100 Free with a time of 54.22. Tonight, Popova followed that swim up with a 53.82 relay split (as well as a 1:56.94, 200 Free earlier in the session). Irina Bespalova, Popova's club teammate, won the 100 Fly in a time of 58.99.
If the back end is still a work in progress, there is no doubting the Russian's strength on the first half of the relay. They will be led off by Anastasia Zueva, who swam 59.51 in the 100 Back semi today, and Yulia Efimova, who while only on 1:07.44 at this competition, is one of 3 or 4 women in the world right now that look capable of swimming 1:05 on the 100 Breast.
Assuming Popova's breakthrough is not just a flash in the pan, the key to Mother Russia's medal hopes rest on the Butterfly leg. Bespalova is Russia's clear No.1 100m flyer right now but will need to be able to produce a relay split under 58 seconds if Russia are going to stand a chance of making the podium. At 29 years of age, it remains to be seen if she will be able to drop that amount of time.
While they are still unlikely to have the firepower on the Fly or the Free to match the US or Australia, having a breaststroker who can stay in touch with Rebecca Soni and Leisel Jones gives them a huge boost. Before this competition I wouldn't have said Russia entered the discussion for medals at Worlds/Olympics, but I see them now just behind China and Japan and slightly ahead of Sweden, Britain and Netherlands (who if Moniek Nijhuis can continue to improve, could have a dynamite Medley relay with Heemskerk, Nijhuis, Dekker and Kromowidjojo).
My personal one's to watch for London (Not Shanghai) are Ned & GB, both team rely on a storming Breast leg through Nijhuis & Haywood!
ReplyDeleteI have spoken to Kate during British Trails and she was deeply let down by her times and spoke with confidence on Breaking the British mark in 2012 (If not 11, 1.07.52) and after her 1.08.29 last year with her Hip surgery i think it is a definate chance, whereas i think Nijhuis is topping out as a 1.08 flat swimmer, also remember Haywood's PB was set at 20 in a LZR as she did not swim in 2009 (or 2010 winter). For me Europe's chance of a medal lies with three women, Nijhuis,Haywood and Bushell! If any cn get down to 1.07.2ish they are with the Chinese. USA & Aus to far ahead for me! I THINK Haywood will be the big improver after speaking to her personally, Talent certainly is not a problem, she went 1.08.14 at 17.
Yes.Papqva looks a good prospect . Her 1.56.9 200 allows more confidence to chase knowing she won't blow up . Zueva Efimova Bespolova (not fast but reliable ) & Popova = good team.
ReplyDeleteJJack -is Kate doing anything else besides swimming? There would be visa restrictions etc but just swimming only is a big life risk at her age.
Yes, her life is in Australia now so she is doing everywhing she would have in the UK (Within the restriction).
ReplyDeleteNo Jack. She won't be able to wave to William & Kate.;)
ReplyDeleteHaha, well that makes two of us then!
ReplyDeleteThorpie has been invited. Thats some A listing he has !
ReplyDeleteHi, I am visiting your blogs and read your content about Russian. Your content and your services are very nice. I am very impressed your services. I want to do Dating Russian Woman for long time.
ReplyDelete“Why NOT marry a Russian woman?”
ReplyDeleteby Nadia Dantos
If you are nursing the idea of getting married to a woman from any of the Russian states, get ready for a strange and new eye opening experience. From the very beginning it is destined not to be an easy ride. Starting from the differences in mentality, the language barrier, the usual age gap between the two of you, and finishing with the intimidating immigration process in the former soviet countries, this project of yours may become one of your worst nightmares. Building a strong and happy relationship with a "Russian girl" seems to be the greatest affair of your personal life, yet this commonly encountered illusion among Western men, when applied in real life, proves to remain what it really is: just an illusion.
"Western World is a funny world.
It is to me at least – an Eastern European girl – who was literally propelled into this authentic world, through marriage to a Westerner.
Now, everything that happened in my life, before that eye opening experience, seems like an extended version of the army training. Why so? Because when you are born and raised in a third world country, particularly in a former Soviet Union state, and you are ripped out of your home town and put into a Western environment, you start to really realize how much stronger, wiser and meaner we are comparing to the ‘'modern'' people. The arising question would be whether this is a good thing or a bad thing in terms of survival? - I am not the one to judge, yet one thing is certain: Eastern European women WILL NEVER FEEL LIKE A PART OF THE WESTERN WORLD, even after decades of living in it.
Perhaps this book is designed mostly for the Western male readers, which is good, as this was my intention from the very beginning. As I am writing this down, I can see you guys thinking to yourself right now: ‘'How can she possibly say that? She is taken out of the gutter and put into a decent house, fed good food, dressed good quality clothes and given the best medical treatment in the world. She was given everything she would have never had with a Russian man, and yet she is so ungrateful!''. I love it when Western men think that way; I can instantly read it in their eyes that to them the Russian woman acts differently compared to how a Western woman would react in a banal situation; because it is always the same pattern, repeating itself over and over again, from couple to couple.
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