COLLEGE PARK, Maryland -The second stop on the 2000-2001 FINA Swimming World Cup got underway at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, November 15 at the University of Maryland Recreation Center. A total of 135 swimmers representing 22 federations participated in the event before a sold out audience of 1201 swimming fans. The University of Maryland is located about 30 miles from the nation's capital and played host to the 1999 USA stage of the FINA WORLD CUP.

USA Olympians John NABER and Rowdy GAINES covered the FINA WORLD CUP for the American sports television network ESPN2. John and Rowdy were also the commentators for NBC's coverage of the Olympic Games. The FINA WORLD CUP event will be televised in the USA on Sunday, November 19th at 1:30 PM (eastern time) on ESPN2. The FINA and USA Swimming's websites both offered swimming fans the opportunity to watch a LIVE SCOREBOARD of the World Cup events.

The meet continues tomorrow with prelims at 10 a.m. and finals at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

DAY 1 - FINALS - NOVEMBER 15, 2000

100 FREESTYLE MEN: David JENKINS (AUS) continued his winning ways in the 100 free. His time, 49.37 was slower than his victory in Rio over the weekend. JENKINS was followed closely by teammate Leo BIGGS (AUS) and in third place, Bryan JONES (USA).

200 FREESTYLE WOMEN: Martina MORAVCOVA (SVK) established a new US Open record with a blistering 1:56.14 in her victory over Yu YANG (CHN). YANG is the world record holder in the event. MORAVCOVA 's split for the last 50 was 29.23. "I am very happy with my time as I am back into heavy training" said MORAVCOVA when interviewed by American television. Two time Olympian Karen PICKERING (GBR) finished third.

50 BREASTSTROKE MEN: Olympic silver medalist (100 breaststroke) Ed MOSES (USA) made it look easy with a 27.63 in the two-lap sprint. He was shooting for the World Record in the event but was .02 slower than his prelim effort and not good enough for a new mark. MOSES: "I am taking it one step at a time and tonight's swim was a good step." Olympian Morgan KNABE (CAN) finished ahead of Jason WARD (USA) and Jarrod MARRS (USA) who both tied for third place.

100 BREASTSTROKE WOMEN: Amy BALCERZAK (USA) led an American sweep of the this event. Her time of 1:07.10 wasn't as fast as her seed time but fast enough to keep Katie MCCLELLAND (USA) and Lindsey ERTTER (USA) at a safe distance behind her. This event was swum as a final only as there were only seven swimmers entered in the event.

400 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY MEN: Jirka LETZIN (GER) won in 4:19.03. The twenty-nine year old Letzin is a regular on the circuit with six medal finishes last season. Frederik HVIID (SPA) was second and Micke JACOBSEN (SWE) finished third. Only three swimmers were entered in the event and was swum as a final.

100 BUTTERFLY WOMEN: Martina MORAVCOVA (SVK) won her second gold medal of the evening convincingly with a time of 58.46. "The hard training gave me the energy to finish strong" said MORAVCOVA at her poolside interview for television. Yi RUAN (CHN) was second and Bridget MALLON (USA) third, both in times over a minute for the two lengths.

100 BACKSTROKE MEN: Beau MANNIX (AUS) won his second World Cup title in this event having just earned gold last weekend in Rio. His time of 53.83 was faster than the 53.94 he posted in Rio. Teammate Raymond HAAS (AUS) was second and added to the bronze medal he picked up in Rio. Paulo MACHADO (BRA) earned the bronze medal.

50 BACKSTROKE WOMEN: Local favorite Suzy CATTERSON (USA), a student at the University of Maryland took home her first World Cup title. "I love it, I was so excited to hear the crowd cheering for me and I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have the support of my teammates and my friends." Nadine ROLLAND (CAN) was second followed by Dominique DIEZI (SUI).

200 BUTTERFLY MEN: In a field that included Olympians Michael PHELPS (USA) and Heath RAMSAY (AUS), it was the youngster that swam away with the gold in front of a boisterous hometown crowd. The winning time was 1:55.98 for the 15 year old who took off school today only to learn that his event was declared a final. PHELPS in his poolside interview, "I know i am a back half swimmer - my second half is always faster so i pushed it and got to the wall first." PHELPS who is from Maryland and trains with host club North Baltimore Aquatic Club was the youngest member of the USA Olympic team, he placed fifth in this event in Sydney. "It felt good to be back in competition," Phelps said. "This is only my second short course meters meet and I improved by nine seconds from last year. I didn't even make finals here last year." Heath RAMSAY (AUS) was second TIME and was followed by Doak FINCH (USA).

200 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY WOMEN: Shu ZHAN (CHN) earned her first World Cup title of the season in this event winning in a time of 2:14.71 ahead of rivals Amy BALCERZAK (USA) and Rachel CORNER (GBR). Zhan won three stages in this event at last year's world cup series but was second to Christina TEUSCHER (USA) in Rio this past weekend.

400 FREESTYLE MEN: Frederik HVIID (ESP) captured the gold medal in this event with a winning time of 3:53.40 as he outpaced Andrea RIGHI (ITA) and Antony MATKOVICH AUS).

50 FREESTYLE WOMEN: Earning her third medal of the evening was Martina MORAVCOVA (SLO) who sprinted to win in 24.81. "I think swimming is fun for me so I keep doing it as often as i can" when asked about her performances just a few weeks after the Olympic Games. Second place was Olympian Nadine ROLLAND (CAN), Suzy CATTERSON (USA) was third.

200 BREASTSTROKE MEN: Ed MOSES (USA) finished fourth in the USA Olympic Trials and didn't get a chance to swim this distance at the Olympic Games. Swimming before fans and friends, MOSES powered his way to his second gold medal of the evening in a time of 2:11.54 while holding off a challenge from Michael BOWLIANNE (CAN). Fabio FOREBEGOLI (ITA) was third. "Comparatively, my times are faster now than they were last year at this meet," Moses said. "Some of the Olympians are taking a long break, but I wanted to get back in the water and put some good work in looking ahead to the World Championships next summer. I'm taking this fall seriously. It sets me up for the season."

800 FREESTYLE: Cara LANE (USA) swam her way to the top of the medal podium with a time of 8:32.60, just under three seconds faster than the winning time in Rio during the first World Cup. Nayara RIBEIRO (BRA) who won the title last weekend in Rio was second tonight. The bronze went to Stacey HOULDSWORTH (GBR) who was second in Rio. RIBEIRO's time was a new South American and Brazilian record, bettering the old mark of she set last weekend in the Rio World Cup meet.

100 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY MEN: Jirka LETZIN (GER) won his second event of the evening session in a time of 55.18. Ray HAAS (AUS) and Micke JACOBSON (SWE) Letzin is a regular on the circuit with six medal finishes last season.

200 BACKSTROKE WOMEN: Jennifer MIHALIK (USA) won her first World Cup title in a time of 2:13.84. She was followed by Hiu Wai TSAI (HKG) and Megan IFFLAND (USA).

50 BUTTERFLY MEN: Raphael THUIM (BRA) won the final event of the evening with a time of 23.98. Bryan JONES (USA) was second and Heath RAMSAY (AUS) the was third.