New information is out today on the slightly-modified Grand Prix series for the first part of the quaddrenial, that in part explains why the qualifying times for the Minneapolis Grand Prix were so fast.
All Grand Prix meets will hope to cap at 600 swimmers, with an “A” standard and a “B” standard. All of those athletes with an “A” cut will be accepted, and then 42 days prior to the meet swimmers with “B” standards will be accepted until the 600 swimmer cap is met.
There were a few coaches at the USA Swimming Convention who pushed for a slightly higher cap – between 700 and 750 – but overall there was not much voiced opposition to the lower number.
In addition to the time standards, to make the event more attractive for Television coverage (which is a positive for the sport), the finals format will be tweaked slightly as well. There will be a session run for just A and B finals, and then after the completion of that session a separate one with C and D finals.