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Huegill has Top Performance while Canadians Better 4 National Records

Nov 24, 2001  - Nick J. Thierry - FINA Press Commission

EDMONTON - A good start for the FINA World Cup 2 in Edmonton. The top performance was by Geoff Huegill (AUS) in the 50 fly with 23.05 (1008) points moving him into the World Cup points lead as the top performance in Rio a week ago was worth 1000 points.

Huegill had complete mastery of this short race. Never challenged and holding the lead from the start. His winning margin was almost a full second over Mike Mintenko (CAN) in second with 23.94, just off his best of 23.91.

The other top performer was Martin Moravcova (SVK) who competed in three races, won two, and finished second in the third. Her 200 freestyle was a come from behind effort over Chen Hua (CHN). Moravcova just touched a 1/100th ahead of the Chinese world championship finalists with 1:55.92. It was the top women's performance worth 997 points, and moves her into the overall World Cup points lead. She plans to compete on all three continents.

"I'm very pleased with the 200 freestyle. Especially in the way I split the race (27.81, 57.48, 1:27.18, 1:55.92), Martina said. "My 100 fly was decent with 58.41, I should be able to go a 56 high when I'm rested, and not swimming the 200 free 10 minutes before. My 50 free (24.84) was my best time.

The real story was the success of the host Canadians. Four national records, two for men and two for women.

Morgan Knabe already impressive in Rio last weekend was even better tonight. First he won the 50 breast in 27.81 over Eduardo Fischer (BRA) 27.83. About half an hour later he won the 200 breast in 2:08.71, bettering a record of the legendary Victor Davis from 1987. Morgan split the race 29.52, 1:02.01, 1:35.13, and 2:08.71 ahead of the old record pace for the whole event. It was a great effort.

"This was planned." Knabe said afterwards. "I've been talking about it and boasting 'going 2:08 this weekend, going 2:08 this weekend' My coach (Jan Bidrman) helped me just before the race and said 'have confidence in your training.' I went out fast and it felt hard, I was nervous. Every 200 breast I've swam I felt I was holding back a little because of my training. I never do too much endurance work so my back end is a little weak. Usually I start off pretty conservatively. Today I went hard from the start and finished well."

"I knew I had it in me because of the work I've put into my training."

Rick Say (CAN) is on a roll. He won three freestyle races in Rio last weekend, the 200-400-1500 freestyle, with a national record swim there in the 200 free. Today he went after his own 400 free record form February of 2001. It was a very fast pace 52.89, 1:49.65, 2:46.98, 3:42.42 more than a full second improvement over his previous best of 3:43.91.

"I'm sorting out some of my problems from last season. My long term goal is the Commonwealth Games in July of 2002. I knew that I was ready for best times in Rio and here. It wasn't a case of maybe I was sure. Now I'm aiming at best time long course."

Jennifer Fratesi (CAN) is the real Canadian thing this year. Missing the Olympic team in 2000 she has moved solidly into top spot in backstroke, especially the 200. She finished fourth at Worlds in Japan and shattered the 200 backstroke record tonight. Her 2:07.73 was split 30.95, 1:03.29, 1:35.46, 2:07.73 and was ahead of the old record of 2:08.08 from 1999 by Kelly Stefanyshyn.

The final record was By Jennifer Carroll (CAN) in the 50 backstroke with 27.92 bettering the old record of 28.03 from 2000.

14 countries shared in the medals with Canada in the lead with 22 (7-5-10) and the seven member USA men's team in second with 5 (2-2-1).


Medal Totals up to Event 17
GOLD SILVER BRONZE TOTAL
CAN 7 5 10 22
USA 2 2 1 5
CHN 2 2 0 4
SVK 2 1 0 3
AUS 1 1 1 3
JPN 1 0 0 1
ARG 1 0 0 1
GBR 1 0 0 1
BRA 0 2 2 4
GER 0 2 1 3
RSA 0 1 0 1
ROM 0 1 0 1
RUS 0 0 1 1
POL 0 0 1 1
17 17 17 51

The meet is being televised by CBC sports to be shown a week from now on Saturday afternoon, Dec 1.


Rating Summary WC 2 Edmonton after Day 1
1) 1008 23.05 50 fly M Geoff Huegill,79,AUS
2) 997 1:55.92 200 free W Martina Moravcova,76,SVK
3) 996 1:55.93 200 free W Yu Yang,86,CHN
4) 991 24.53 50 free W Alison Sheppard,72,GBR
5) 989 1:06.37 100 breast W Xuejuan Luo,84,CHN
6) 988 2:07.73 200 back W Jennifer Fratesi,84,CAN
7) 987 2:08.71 200 breast M Morgan Knabe,81,CAN
8) 979 47.74 100 free M Jose M. Meolans,78,ARG
9) 978 3:42.42 400 free M Rick Say,79,CAN
10) 977 27.92 50 back W Jennifer Carroll,81,CAN