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E-Stars Declare Weapons For Duel With US
Nov 25, 2009 - Craig Lord
So, no Paul Biedermann to take on Michael Phelps again at the US Vs Europe Select British Gas/Mutual of Omaha Duel in the Pool next month - but Federica Pellegrini will grace the event, even though she may wear a silly suit.
Some while after the US, which races internationally as one team, announced a very strong squad for the meet in Manchester on December 18-19, Europe, which races in individual nations in international waters, have finally managed to come up with a list of swimmers.
The meet, which will, sadly, go down as the last shiny suit international (hopefully in history), should be an interesting one. If it were not for the imbalance that will exist because some will wear shiny, silly stuff and some (such as Phelps, Katie Hoff and Ariana Kukors) will not, according to prior pledge, prospects for the event would be great. We must wait and see who decides to wear what and when, but what is certain is that there will be some tough, close racing in a fun environment that will pay dividends for the Americans and those Europeans who were able to make the effort.
In addition to the US team, take a look at the strength from Britain and Italy, while Germany has sent along the strength it could muster, minus Biedermann (racing in Russia that week) and Britta Steffen (who cancelled the winter s/c season because her training plans had not gone as she had planned). The E-Stars include 14 swimmers who have reached the podium at Olympic and/or world-championship levels, with two Olympic champions from Beijing 2008 and four world champions from Rome 2009. The US team boasts four Olympic champions from 2008 (no relays) and five world champions from Rome 2009.
THE E-STARS:
Britain:
Italy:
Germany
The E-Stars comprise 14 British, 14 Italian and eight German swimmers. Britain's Head Coach Dennis Pursley said: "This is going to be an exciting encounter for everyone involved whether you're a swimmer, a coach or one of the thousands of spectators. We’ve got a great opportunity to race many of the best athletes in the sport and all in our own backyard. I'm very much looking forward to presenting a strong challenge to the Americans with athletes from Britain, Italy and Germany in the first competition of it’s kind in Europe."
He added: "The format is made for a thrilling event. It's short and sweet with just one opportunity to get it right as the programme is made up of straight finals with no heats. It will be very exciting for spectators and I’m sure our team will feed off this."
Double Olympic Champion Becky Adlington said: "Following the success of the World Short Course last year, it's great that the British public will have another opportunity to watch a world class swimming event in Manchester next month. It’s been an outstanding year for British Swimming with a best ever medal haul at the World Championships in Rome and it seems only fitting to finish the year on a high with some of the greatest swimming talent going head-to-head."
She added: "To be able to watch the cream from Britain, Italy and Germany race the best of the United States, including the likes of Michael Phelps, is an amazing opportunity."
