The Americans took off on day 2 of the 2nd International Meeting of the Mediterranean in Maresille on Saturday, and the result was a pair of sub-22 second 50 freestyles.
In a matchup of the Olympic race we never got to see, the 50 between Nathan Adrian and eventual champion Florent Manaudou, the American won in 21.75, leaving Manaudou 2nd in 21.83.
Behind them were Anthony Ervin in 22.01 and Fred Bousquet in 22.14. In a battle of a pair from Cal, and a pair from Mareseille, it was the Berkeley boys who will take bragging rights, for now at least. Poland’s Konrad Czerniak was 5th in 22.67.
Neither Adrian nor Manaudou was a season-best in that swim; but this will be a mental edge for Adrian because as far as we can tell, the two have never before raced head-to-head in this event. Certainly not since they became the world’s two Olympic sprint champions and premier speed men.
In the women’s race, It was Great Britain’s best Fran Halsall who won in 24.91, making her just the second woman globally this year under 25 seconds in long course (Cate Campbell from Australia is the other). American Natalie Coughlin was 2nd in 25.52 and Amy Smith was 3rd in 25.72. Halsall is still just 22 years old and has a real chance to do some damage headed toward Rio. For Coughlin, that’s actually her fastest time since 2008, though she doesn’t swim this race all that often.
She alsoo topped the 100 fly with a 58.37, beating Spain’s Judit Ignacio and Mireia Belmonte: both of whom failed to break a minute. That’s a world-leader for Halsall, as she’s probably at the beginning of a small rest cycle for next weekend’s British Open Championships.
In other racing, Great Britain’s Liam Tancock won the 200 back in 2:02.77, with no Camille Lacourt (who historically is a much better 200 backstroker than Tancock). For a sprinter, the Brit actually split that race fairly well, going 58.6-1:04.1. For a sprinter, anyway.
The aforementioned Czerniak came back to win the 100 fly with a 53,19, besting Spain’s Rafael Munoz at 53.86.
Full, live results for the meet (which runs through Sunday) are available here.
50 Free at Worlds is really shaping up to be a decent battle. I think losing Worlds SC and losing this time in Marseilles will motivate Florent. Given his coach’s ambitions for him to be the fastest guy in the world in all four strokes, I wonder how much specific work he’s been doing for his 50m free in the leadup to this matchup.
As for Adrian, he’ll be hungry for the 100 free crown so not sure how much work he’ll get to put in for Worlds. He doesn’t drop as much time in taper as many of the other guys so will be hard to determine.
I really want to see how Vlad’s been doing so far.… Read more »
Florent coach should drop the 50 breast.. with the actual level of Van Der Burgh he will Crush the WR easily..
And 50 fly he will have to be HUGE to face cielo on that field..
I would not bet on anyone sweeping all 4 events..
HKSWIMMER , I AGREE WITH U for Ervin ! He has the true potential to be the fastest on 50 free IF and only If he gets his starts sharp . In london , because of his poor start , he did loose the race in my vieuw . With a good start , he can get to the 21.3 . Hope he focuses on his starts because his technique is fantastic and so efficient . If Vlad can transfer his owesome speed into long course , he will be very dangerous to anyone .
Well.. 21.3 is amazing.. but not a win lock.. Manadou can reach that.. Cielo if he recovers can do that.. And I want to see Morozov and Chiereguinni Trials ( not the NCAA but BRA and RUA trials ) to see where they stand..
Not sure Adrian can get down to the 21.2-3 it will take to win worlds. Cesar and Florent will be in the mix, and vlad and possibly Ervin who tends to taper well.
Florent Manaudou must not be very happy to lose at home. But he’s still for me the favorite with Cesar Cielo in the 50 free. If the Brazilian is physically ready after his surgeries.
Good first race for Natalie Coughlin since London. She’s already in shape.
I would like to see how well Chiereguinni could go this year also.. dunno why they did not count the time but he dropped from 22.8 to 22 flat his 50 and this year he is showing much more speed than last..
A sign of things to come for Adrian?
Wonderful for Nathan . he is really standing after his olympic 100 free win as the best Us sprinter we have seen in a long time . If he goes on like that , Magnussen will really have to be carefull in Barcelona . Well done . happy for him