2016 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Monday, May 16th – Sunday, May 22nd
- Prelims: 10:00 AM (London Time) / 5:00 AM (Eastern Time)
- Finals: 6:00 PM (London Time) / 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)
- London Aquatics Center, London, UK
- Meet Central
- Psych Sheet
- Live Results
- Live Stream
As originally reported by Loretta Race:
MEN’S 400 FREESTYLE – FINAL
- Gabriele Detti (ITA), 3:44.01, *Championship Record
- Henrik Christiansen (NOR), 3:46.49
- Peter Bernek (HUN), 3:46.81
Serbia’s Velimir Stjepanovic fired off an opening 100m of 53.80, well ahead of the European Record, only to fall off the next the following lap until he was eventually entirely out of the top tier of racers. Stepping into his place, however, was Italy’s Gabriele Detti, who maintained over a second lead on the field for the majority of the race, winding up with the gold in time of 3:44.01.
Detti’s personal best rests at the 3:43.97 he scored just last month in Riccione, so today’s outing represents his 2nd fastest time ever.
En route to the top of the podium for his first European title ever, Detti crushed the previous meet record of 3:45.10 held by Russia’s Yuruy Prilukov. Of his race, Detti commented immediately afterwards, “I’m very happy with the gold medal. After the heats I had a good feeling for the final, this time is the same I clocked at Italian Nationals and this is a good sign that I’m on the right track before the Olympics.”
Silver tonight went to the 19-year old Henrik Christiansen from Norway, who clocked a solid 3:46.49. Christiansen’s best time was only logged in March of this year at 3:46.37, so the young distance ace is on the right track notching a mark just over a tenth off that mark reportedly swimming untapered. Notable from his performance today, Christiansen became the first Norwegian freestyle medalist ever at a European Championships.
Hungary’s reigning World and European Short Course World Champion, Peter Bernek finished just behind Christiansen for bronze tonight, registering a time of 3:46.81.
Overall, the men’s 400m freestyle was different from most would have expected, as Britain’s reigning World Championships silver medalist in the vent, James Guy, failed to make it to the final, while the defending European Champion Stjepanovic finished 6th.
What an impact Auboeck will make for Michigan. Losing Nielsen would’ve been tough without Felix. I would even suggest Indiana would’ve been the clear B1G favorite without him in the class.