Round 1 saw a lot of blowouts between our “seeded” and “unseeded” events. Round 2 should set up some more intriguing showdowns in our “what is the hardest event?” bracket.
First, a recap of round 1:
Round 1 Recap
200 Breast (83%) over 100 fly (17%)
Not a close outcome. But the 100 fly did get a higher percentage of the votes than the 100s of back, breast or free, and more total votes than any of those options. This matchup got more votes than any other, too.
200 Fly (94%) over 100 Back (6%)
Another blowout, our second-most-lopsided poll of the round. Both butterfly events did relatively well.
200 Free (55%) over 200 IM (45%)
A very close one, in our only matchup of two events with the same yardage. Tough draw for the 200 IM, which probably would have beaten pretty much all of the round 1 losers and maybe a couple of the winners.
1650 Free (84%) over 100 Free (16%)
Our only same-stroke matchup and another blowout.
200 Back (53%) over 1000 Free (47%)
Our closest round 1 matchup and a really tough call. The final result came down to about 160 votes.
400 IM (96%) over 100 Breast (4%)
The biggest blowout of round 1, which probably says more about the 400 IM’s chances in this poll than the 100 breaststroke’s ranking.
50 Free (58%) over 100 IM (42%)
Another relatively close one, but probably a weak matchup with the two shortest distances. This one also got the least total votes of any round 1 matchup.
Updated Bracket
Round 2 Matchups
All events are in short course yards. The question is “Which event is harder?” Define “harder” however you wish.
200 Breaststroke vs 200 Butterfly
Which event is harder? (short course yards)
- 200 Butterfly (68%)
- 200 Breaststroke (32%)
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500 Freestyle vs 200 Freestyle
Which event is harder? (short course yards)
- 200 Freestyle (52%)
- 500 Freestyle (48%)
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1650 Freestyle vs 200 Backstroke
Which event is harder? (short course yards)
- 1650 Freestyle (63%)
- 200 Backstroke (37%)
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400 IM vs 50 Freestyle
Which event is harder? (short course yards)
- 400 IM (92%)
- 50 Freestyle (8%)
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Consolation Bracket
Which event is hardest? (SCY Consolation Bracket)
- 1000 Freestyle (42%)
- 200 IM (40%)
- 100 Butterfly (6%)
- 100 Backstroke (4%)
- 100 Freestyle (4%)
- 100 Breaststroke (4%)
- 100 IM (0%)
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Hardest event is 800 IM.
The distance events are not hard compared to the aerobic events
How was the 1000 free and 200 back so close. When a 200 back is executed properly in SCY your legs and lungs literally die…
Not to say the 1000 is easy but…
200 free is harder than 500 free
counterintuitive but true.
I’m kind of glad if the 200 free can show up the 500. Way harder to strategize successfully and there’s always some unsmart and ballsy sprinters in the outside lanes during the circle seed heats who screw up everyone’s pacing for the whole race. Can’t pull that stunt in a 500.
The 2 free is one of my most loathed to swim but most favorite to watch. Its hard physically but also mentally. Fly and die, keep consistent splits, or try and back half? Must be in great shape and have a strategy going in. The field for the 2 free is always stacked too, with the stud sprinters and mid distance mixing.
If we’re defining hardest as requires most endurance both aerobically, anaerobically as well as pain tolerance, the longer distances/butterfly definitely takes the cake. But if we’re defining hardest as most difficult to perfect and greatest effect resulting from error; the 50 Free wins it hands out.
How is 50 free not beating 400 IM?
I’ll be stunned if the 400 IM doesn’t win going away.
I actually didn’t mind the 400 IM because the agony changed every 100. The mile, on the other hand… You dive in, you feel like ass, and you are 15 minutes from the finish.
100 IM is still at 0% in the consolation bracket😂. Everyone wants to be 12 again and swim the 100 IM at a meet.
Or race it again in masters. Along with all the 50s