Rupprath Leads Germans with Record Swim

VIENNA - Thomas Rupprath (GER) won two events, one in a world record. Ironically due to some bureaucratic bungling his faster time from 2002 remains as the best ever performance.

Rupprath first won the 100 butterfly in 50.67, just ahead of Nikolay Skvortsov (RUS) whose 50.92 was his best ever by half-a-second. Rupprath was surprised at Skvortsov fast time. "I never worried about the gold, but his sub 51 sec swim was very good. I could have been faster if needed but I'm getting ready for the 50 back."

"I expect to challenge Rupprath next year," Skvortsov said.

With a scant 20 minutes in between events, Rupprath swam the final of the 50 backstroke.

He had a huge body-length lead throughout, mostly due to his superior use of the maximum allowable underwater kick giving him a clear edge to touch in 23.27, bettering the current recognized world record of 23.31, but still of Rupprath's fastest of 23.23 from 2002.

"It's kind of ridiculous to set a world record which is not even my best time," Rupprath said. "Most of the effort was on the second leg, which was sensational."

Rupprath's two golds, added to their overall good team performance gave the Germans 10 (6-2-2) to lead the medal table among the 19 countries of the 35 taking part, after two days of the championships.

Other men's highlights:
Roman Sludnov (RUS) returned to top spot on the podium, winning the 100 breaststroke in 58.73, edging Oleg Lisogor (UKR) who had a slight lead at the 50, whose 58.81 got the silver. Igor Borysik (UKR) picked up the bronze in lane 8 with his first sub minute performance of 59.70.

Laszlo Cseh (HUN) won the 400 individual medley in another European record time of 4:03.96, a 14/100th improvement on his previous record from a year ago.

"I seriously plan to challenge Phelps next summer," Cseh said. "I am not a very good short course swimmer, and I always do better long course."

Luca Marin (ITA) was second in 4:05.93, a big drop from his previous best of 4:09.87. "I wanted to keep close, the Cseh, and maybe catch-up on the breaststroke leg. This medal means a lot, as I missed the final in Athens," Marin said.

Women's highlights:
Malia Metella (FRA) won the 100 freestyle in 53.37 like she did a year ago in Dublin, "I'd like to add the 50 free and maybe a fly," Metella said.

Metella was an arm-length behind Marleen Veldhuis (NED) at the 50 but but she was lucky to finish in second in 53.63 as Josefin Lillhage was third just 1/100th behind.

"I took a chance going out so hard," Veldhuis said. "Metella is certainly a very tough competitor."

A great come-back swim from Flavia Rigasmonti (SUI) winning the 800 freestyle in 8:17.39, a little over a second off her best. It's her sixth podium since 1996, having competed at all but two of the 9 championships to date.

"I am back in Dallas with coach Steve Collins," Rigamonti said. My big accident in 2003, followed by arm surgery, really hurt my career."

It was a first ever European medal for Lotte Friis (DEN), who improved almost four seconds to pick up the silver with her 8:22.38. Last year's winner Erika Villaecija (ESP) was off her best but her 8:26.38 was enough for a bronze.

In what was the biggest upset of these championships Kateryn Zubkova (UKR) won the 100 backstroke in 58.58 with Antje Buschschulte (GER) second with 58.70, and Louis Ornstedt (DEN) third in 58.76.

"It was a big surprise," Zubkova said. "To improve over a second from my best is wonderful."

"I wasn't too well prepared this time," Buschschulte admitted. "But I am really upset at my finishing touch, it was truly a catastrophe. Certainly something I need to work on."

Ornsted was pleased with her bronze, "In the spring I suffered with a genetic thrombosis in the leg and I couldn't prepare adequately for the Olympics. Considering all that, my time today is fantastic."

Anne Poleska (GER) turned the tables on home-town favourite Mirna Jukic (AUT). Poleska was in second for most the race as Jukic split 32.74, 1:08.61, but on the final 50 Poleska took the lead to tough first in 2:21.79. Jukic in second with 2:22.79 and Sarah Poewe (GER) third in 2:24.33.

Two years ago at the Berlin Europeans Jukic beat Poleska so it was pay-back time.

"I read an Austrian paper this morning where Jukic was predicting a win today," Poleska said. "That really motivated me to avenge Berlin."

"I gave it everything in the last 50," Jukic said, "She had me quite stressed for the last two years."

Anna-Karin Kammerling (SWE) owns the 50 fly and added another gold, extending her streak to five, with her 25.73.

In second Martina Moravcova (SVK) in 26.14, and Fabienne Nadarajah (AUT) third with 26.27.

The biggest news could be Martina "Second place is not bad, but after the 2003 Worlds next summer it will be time to retire."

In the final relay Nederland won a close fought race with Germany 1:37.97 to 1:38.52, with Sweden in third 1:38.76.

After two days Rupprath and Rogan are tied for top performers.

RATING SUMMARY OF TOP PERFORMANCES
1)	1007	23.27	50 back M	Rupprath Thomas,77,GER
 	1007	1:51.24	200 back M	Rogan Markus,82,AUT
3)	1003	4:03.96	400 im M	Cseh Laszlo,85,HUN
4)	1002	1:34.56	4x50 medley M	Germany,GER
5)	1000	1:37.97	4x50 free W	Netherlands,NED
6)	997	1:34.94	4x50 medley M	Ukraine,UKR
7)	996	8:17.39	800 free W	Rigamonti Flavia,81,SUI
8)	994	3:39.66	400 free M	Rosolino Massi,78,ITA
9)	992	4:05.93	400 im M	Marin Luca,85,ITA
10)	992	1:52.39	200 back M	Medvesek Blaz,80,SLO