A group of top British swimmers got their Olympic seasons underway in a low-key manner at last weekend's Lincoln Vulcans Open Meet (long course metres). Despite being in heavy training, Elizabeth Simmonds and Fran Halsall managed to put together a world class duel in the 100m Backstroke.
Notable performances
Elizabeth Simmonds - 100m Back - 1:00.70 (split 29.61)
Francesca Halsall - 100m Back - 1:01.15 (split 29.76)
Francesca Halsall - 50m Free - 25.13
Francesca Halsall - 100m Fly - 59.63
Liam Tancock - 100m Breast - 1:04.18 (split 30.25)
Rebecca Adlington - 200m IM - 2:18.70
Rebecca Adlington - 200m Back - 2:15.71
Jo Jackson - 100m Free - 56.51
Full results
Halsall is an absolute beast of a swimmer. I think the thinking behind her BK swim is to improve her underwater work as on her twitter she seems to be mentioning many underwater kick sessions. I woud have liked to see that race as i think Simmonds would have taken atleast the winning margin off Halsall off the start & turn so Halsall must have been very smooth between the walls (as ever).
ReplyDeletePS If only 100IM was an olympic event as i reckon Hasall & Tancock would be pretty hard to beat! ha
Watched the BK race they where together out of the start and up to the turn, Halsall seemed to slow slightly once over into the turn but came out of the turn at a similar speed to Simmonds but with Simmonds slightly ahead, Halsall was closeing Simmonds down at the end it was an exciting race from two exceptional swimmers......Think you are right Jack about the 100 IM Halsall's Breaststroke 50 may just be good enough for a 100IM but its a struggle for her in the 200IM plus she is also better at the shorter distances.
ReplyDeleteHalsall must really have put some work in to stay with Simmonds off the start, cant wait to see her SC performance this weekend. Thanks for the account.
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