James "the missile’ Magnussen, world 100m free champion and the swiftest man ever in a textile suit, gave South Australia swim fans a thrill with a 48.05 blast, best in the world so far this year, at state titles at the Adelaide venue where Australia will host its Olympic trials in March.
The 20-year-old from NSW finished a league ahead of Matthew Abood, on 49.85, and Olympic silver medallist Eamon Sullivan, on 50.63. "It's great to be able to race quality opposition at a State meet, it helps me to judge where I'm at and after that race I'm happy with where I am in my preparation," said Magnussen.
Magnussen, coached by Brant Best in Sydney, was out in 23.32 and back in 24.73, another impressive balancing act and last-lap killer blow, his effort comparing with splits of 23.66 and 26.19 for Abood and 24.02 and 26.61 for Sullivan. The next best times on the day were a 50.71 by 17-year-old Te Haumi Maxwell and Abood's younger brother Andrew, on 51.12.
Freestyle ace Blair Evans, having set a 4:42 meet mark in the heats of the 400m medley took an axe to that with a 4:36.21 (1:03.06; 2:13.58; 3:34.35) victory later in the day. Jackie Staples, on 4:47.83, and Jessica Pengelly (RSA), on 4:48.83, were next home.
In other action, Daniel Tranter, of NSW, clocked 2:00.41 for a dominant victory in the 200m medley.
Head Australia coach Leigh Nugent said: “Blair Evans, James Magnussen and Daniel Trantor have all recorded excellent results and look like they are in good form."
Other results at a glance:
- Men’s 200m IM
- 1 Daniel Tranter, 2:00.41, 20, NSW
- 2 Travis Nederpelt, 2:05.38, 26, WA
- 3 Sam Beinke, 2:06.26, 26, SA
- Women’s 1500m freestyle:
- 1 Leah Cutting, 17:02.01, 19, SA
- 2 Kate Hofmeyer, 17:25.42, 16, SA
- 3 Melody Remnant, 17:44.68, 27, SA
- Men’s 1500m freestyle:
- 1 Ethan Owens, 16:18.40, 15, SA
- 2 Christopher Deegan, 16:50.54, 15, SA
- 3 Jake Panozzo, 17:20.26, 17, VIC
- Men's 100m butterfly:
- 1 Jayden Hadler 53.60 NSW
- 2 Joseph Carty 53.66.NSW
- 3 Nick Clarke SA 57.53
- Women’s 200m butterfly:
- 1 Jackie Staples, 2.12.56
- 2 Ebba Rosenquist, 2:19.85, 22, SWE
- 3 Sumin Song 2:21.81, 14, SA
- Men’s 200m breaststroke:
- 1 Nicholas Schafer, 2:18.54, 19, QLD
- 2 James Mckechnie, 2:23.02, 16, SA
- 3 Craig Tucker, 2:23.15, 20, WA
- Women’s 50m backstroke:
- 1 Kirstie Meertens, 29.04, 19, NSW
- 2 Lauren Rettie, 29.50, 15, QLD
- 3 Lauren Matthews, 29.67, 19, SA
- Women’s 100m breaststroke
- 1 Amelia Dahlitz, 1:13.03, 18, SA
- 2 Hannah Mullen, 1:13.11, 18, QLD
- 3 Lorelle McLeish, 1:14.44, VIC
