European Championships, Budapest, Day 6 finals:
Women's 1,500m freestyle
Lotte Friis (DEN) was on metronomic fire as she blazed her way to a 15:59.13 victory in the 30-lap battle to add to her victory in the 800m earlier in the week. The silver had Irish eyes smiling: Grainne Murphy, 16 and on 16:02.08. The bronze went to seasoned international Erika Villaecija (ESP), in 16:05.08. Friis led from start to finish, with Murphy always in second place, Villaecija taking over third place from Camelia Potec (ROU), an Olympic champ in the 200m back in 2004 and at her swansong meet here, at the 450m mark.
That was Ireland's first major medal since the shamed one - Michelle Smith de Bruin - was doing the rounds in the 1990s. A new era dawns with hope and a smile on its face.
Friis, coached by Paulus Wildeboer, was not happy about the timing of events: "I was still tired from the 800m. I think it is stupid to schedule these long-distance events without a one-day break. Today I was able to win but I thought it would be closer."
Murphy, coached by Ronald Claes, noted: "I'm surprised I managed the transition from junior to senior so well. I can't say much about my performance right now. I need to calm down and digest it all."
More later.
History unfolding:
Effect on race on all-time top 10: 0
Euro podiums:
- 2010: 15:59.13 - 16:05.08
- 2008: 15:58.54 - 16:11.26
Euro finals:
- 2010: 15:59.13 - 16:24.45
- 2008: 15:58.54 - 16:58.53
- Event first held in 2008.
- Most Euro wins: Flavia Rigamonti (SUI)
- Most Titles/Nation: SUI, 1; DEN, 1, Friis taking the second crown ever raced for
- Tightest Podium: 2010 - gold to bronze - 5.95sec
From the archive: The title may be a newcomer to the European championship programme but the event is not - and Europeans have something to prove. The last time a woman of the old continent held the world record was 1961, the swimmer Margareta Rylander, of Sweden, in 19:02.8. Things are a little swifter these days, though Rylander's swim speed is still celebrated in one corner of the globe. Listed among the world's top 100 open water swims is the Vansbrosimningen in Vansbro, central Sweden. The river race takes swimmers under the six bridges of Vansbro each year in July. First swum in 1950 and made a national event in 1956, the race for both genders has witnessed only one woman winner down the years: Margareta Rylander.
Records
Shiny suit era
- WR: 15:42.54 Kate Ziegler (USA) Jun 2007
- ER: 15:44.93 Alessia Filippi (ITA) Jul 2009
February 1 2008
- WR: 15:42.54 Kate Ziegler (USA) Jun 2007
- ER: 15:55.38 Flavia Rigamonti (SUI) Mar 2007
