example-image
Connect with Us:  

FINA World Cup 3 - Day 1 Report

Dec 2, 1998  - World Record For Jenny Thompson

COLLEGE STATION - A new world record for Jenny Thompson (USA) in the women's 100 butterfly of 56.90 was the highlight of the first day. Of the FINA World Cup She bettered her own previous world record of 57.79 from 1997. The spilt was 26.51 and was well up on her previous record split of 27.01. In second Ashley Tappin (USA) with 59.11 and Junko Onishi (JPN) third with 1:01.03.

"I have no idea how I did that," Jenny said. "I did not anticipate that at all. I powerlifted yesterday. I'm not shaved down or tapered. If I can do that time now, think what I can do when I'm prepared to swim fast."

The opening event of the first FINA World Cup men's 100 freestyle produced an American sweep of the top two spots as Sabir Muhammad (23.48) touched first in 48.55 with Josh Davis (23.55) close behind with 48.95. In third Fernando Scherer (BRA) with 49.02

The early leader, Gustavo Borges (BRA) led to the 75 but missed the wall and lost his lead as he had to back-up to touch, finished fourth with 49.24. He was well ahead splitting 23.16 at the 50 and looked like a sure bet to win.

In the 400 freestyle Josh Davis (USA) took the early lead (53.56, 1:51.01, 2:48.08) but Ian Thorpe (AUS) made his move (54.41, 1:51.79, 2:47.49) on the second half to win with 3:42.28 with Davis second in 3:44.36. Rick Say (CAN) third in 3:48.28.

Other highlights:

Lenny Krayzelburg (USA) won the 100 backstroke 52.68 leading throughout the race with Robert Brewer (USA) second 53.11 and Carlos Arena (MEX) third with 53.90 and a Mexican national record.

Jeremy Linn (USA) touched ahead with 27.11 in the 50 breaststroke for a new American record over Fred deBurghgareve (BEL) 27.37. Yu Daqing (CHN) was third 27.68. In the 200 breaststroke Steve West (USA) won in 2:11.95 and held off a fast finishing Morgan Knabe (CAN) who was second with 2:11.98. Ryosuke Imai (JPN) was third in 2:13.13.

In the men's butterfly Denis Silantiev (UKR) won the 200 fly with 1:55.62 leading throughout (25.77, 55.48, 1:25.71) with Ugur Taner (USA) in second 1:58.24 and Philip Weiss (CAN) third 1:59.96. Geoff Huegill (AUS) held off a strong challenge wo win the 50 fly in 23.73. Sabir Muhammad (USA) had the better turn at the 25 but touched second in 23.75, anothet American record. Fernando Scherer (BRA) picked up his second third of the night with 24.21.

Philip Weiss (CAN) won the 400 I.M. leading throughout the race (58.58, 2:03.87, 3:16.13) with 4:14.63. Erik Vendt (USA) the 17-year-old American hope in the endurance events came second with 4:15.79 moving into contention after trailing the leaders at the 200. Alejandro Bermudez (COL) finished third 4:16.74 as Tom Dolan (USA) faded to fourth.

In the 100 I.M. an American record for Josh Davis (USA) with 54.41, competing in his third final of the evening. Robert Van Der Zant (AUS) second with 55.56 and Chris-Carol Bremer (GER) third with 56.21.

In the women's 200 freestyle Franziska van Almsick (GER) set a blazing pace leading from the gun to finish well ahead of the field with 1:58.07 (splitting 27.69, 57.68, 1:28.07). Jessica Deglau (CAN) was second with 2:00.30 and Marianne Limpert (CAN) third with 2:00.39.

In the 800 free Rachel Harris (AUS) took the lead (2:06.34, 4;15.33) and than spent the whole race holding off challenger Claudia Poll (CRC) (2:07.74, 4:17.27) who was moving up with gradually but fell short by less than second. Harris' winning time was 8:30.31 and Poll in second with 8:31.00.

In the backstroke Beth Botsford (USA) won the 50 with 28.36, with Antje Buschschulte (GER) second in 28.54 and Erin Gamme (CAN) third with 28.91. Buschschulte returned later in the evening to win the 200 backstroke with 2:08.66. Rachel Joseph (USA) was second 2:09.97 and Kelly Stefanyshyn (CAN) third with 2:10.12.

A Canadian sweep of the medals in the 200 I.M. as Marianne Limpert in the lead for all four strokes was first with 2:12.42, Kristy Cameron, second with 2:13.95 and Carrie Burgoyne third with 2:14.51.

A superlative night of swimming with one world, two World Cup meet records and five American records for the first ever FINA World Cup in the United States in the state-of-the art Swimming Natatorium, part of $36.4 million Student Recreation Centre on the campus of Texas A & M University.