CM Moskova 2013

SWC 2013, Moscow Day 1: Meilutyte sets WR in 100 

breast, team Russia in mixed relay

SWIMMING WORLD CUP

Anna Kozina, FINA Media Committee Member

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12 October 2013

On day 1 of the third leg of the FINA Swimming World Cup 2013, all eyes were set on the new Efimova–Meilutyte duel. At the FINA World Championships in Barcelona, Yulia Efimova from Russia claimed two wins (50m and 200m breaststroke) while Ruta Meilutyte from Lithuania emerged victorious in the 100m.

The women’s 100m breaststroke in Moscow was the first race for the two swimmers, meeting this time in 25m pool. But it came out that Efimova didn’t have hunger for revenge.

Post-race, Efimova said: "I’m better at long course than at short course. Besides that I started my training for a new season only three weeks ago, so I’m not in my best shape. But I’m willing to compete, to beat my winter records and to prepare for the European short-course Championships next December. By then, I’ll be ready to deal with Meilutyte."

So the winner of the much-anticipated duel was Meilutyte, who managed to win in a World Record time of 1:02.36. Efimova came second in 1:03.53, a new national record. Jamaica's Alia Atkinson touched for third in 1:04.64.

On her new WR, Meilutyte said: "I didn’t expect I could swim so fast today. It wasn’t the aim to beat a record or to beat Yulia Efimova but it was nice to win. I got back to training just a few weeks ago. I had some injuries, I was ill, but slowly going to proper training to prepare for the European short-course. My plan for this season is to improve myself as much as I can."

As usual it was a thrilling men’s race in the 100m freestyle. Local star Vladimir Morozov remained unchallenged, dominating from the start and touching first in 45.68. Kenneth To (AUS), last year's World Cup winner, was second in 46.87 while Konrad Cherniak (POL) completed the podium, clocking 47.34.

Morozov was also victorious in the 100m IM in 51.61. Kenneth To captured silver again in 51.83 while George Bovell (TRI) claimed the bronze in 52.88.

On his performance, Morozov said: "The 100m IM race was tougher than the 100m freestyle. But I’m waiting for tomorrow's 50m freestyle. I’ll try my best to beat the World Record. This is the only way to take the lead in the overall ranking of the FINA World Cup. I’m currently second after Chad Le Clos."

Chad le Clos (RSA) finished first in the 200m butterfly (1:49.83), beating Tom Shields (USA), second in 1:51.98, and Pawel Korzeniowski (POL), third in 1:52.06.

Katinka Hosszu (HUN), the 2012 World Cup winner and current leader of the 2013 Series, claimed "only" one victory, that in the 200m IM (2:06.86). Sweden's Sarah Sjoestroem prevailed in the 50m (24.20) and 200m freestyle (1:53.76), as well as the 100m butterfly (57.04).

Hosszu said: "I’m not disappointed. My goal was to be in the top-3 in every race. There is a new rule: you get points for every medal. So this was a pretty good day for me with five podiums and one gold."

At the end of day 1, team Russia-1 bettered the world mark in the mixed 4x50m medley relay, winning in 1:41.70. Team Russia-2 came second in 1:43.16 while team Japan completed the podium in 1:43.36.

SWC 2013, Moscow Day 2: Meilutyte nearly takes down

 WR in 50m breast, Russia sets first WR in mixed free relay

SWIMMING WORLD CUP

Anna Kozina, FINA Media Committee Member

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13 October 2013

On day 2 of the third stage of the FINA Swimming World Cup 2013, team Russia set the official mixed 4x50m freestyle relay World record. Rozaliya Nasretdinova, Dmitriy Ermakov, Artem Lobuzov and Maria Reznikova triumphed in 1:33.01 ahead of the teams of Brazil, second in 1:33.43, and Japan, third in 1:33.48. On the WR, Nasretdinova said: “We wanted to beat this record badly. Maybe these seconds are not so solid. But we are the pioneers. And that is cool!”

Another highlight of the day was the women’s 50m breaststroke final. Ruta Meilutyte (LTU) took out the event in a blistering time of 28.89, beating Alia Atkinson (JAM, 29.33) and Dorothea Brandt (GER, 30.35). Local hope Yulia Efimova drew a disqualification.

This disqualification wasn’t the only mischance for Efimova, who was targetting a second silver medal in the dash event. In Barcelona last August, Efimova's records set in the morning session were beaten by her rivals immediately after, which happened again in Moscow. Efimova beat the European record in the 50m breaststroke semi-final (29.27), bettering Meilutyte's mark of 29.44 set at last year's FINA World Swimming Championships in Istanbul. After today’s finals the ever-impressive Lithuanian swimmer improved again the European mark, rattling Jessica Hardy’s World record of 28.80 in the event.

Speaking about her bad luck, Efimova said: "What a fight! The judges missed my record at first. I asked my father and coach to check the timing. Only after that I was officially announced as a new European record-holder. But even at that time I was sure that Ruta, who had already beaten the World record in the 100m, would swim as fast as she could in the finals. As for me I don't have so much advantage on my opponent in short course. My starts and turns leave much to be desired."

Current World Cup leader and defending winner Katinka Hosszu (HUN) added two more gold medals to her impressive collection at the Moscow meet (an overall tally of 10 medals: three gold, four silver and three bronze). In the 400m IM, Hosszu comfortably won in 4:30.65. Miyu Otsuka (JPN) came second in 4:32.35 while Mirea Belmonte (ESP) came third in 4:36.55.

In the 200m butterfly, the Hungarian claimed a win in 2:06.80. Sophie Allen (GBR) and Mirea Belmonte (ESP) took respectively silver and bronze in times of 2:07.92 and 2:10.77.

On beating no records this time, Hosszu said: "My physical conditions are pretty good. We've just come from training and I'm a little bit tired. We didn't really rest for this meet. But I'm happy with my results. I'm doing much better than last year in Moscow. I was not thinking about records because I'm kind of feeling tired and I'm focusing on so many races. It would be a good thing to set one more World record after six at two previous stages of the World Cup but hopefully I'll get more gold."

Meanwhile Chad Le Clos (RSA) faced pressure from Russian Vladimir Morozov, who is challenging his domination in the 100m IM and freestyle events. In Moscow, Le Clos touched first in the 100m butterfly, clocking 49.34, bagging a second gold in the 200m IM (1:53.04).

On his performance, Le Clos said: "Last night was not so good for me. The main goal here in Moscow was to try to keep my lead in the overall rankings of the Series. Three gold and one silver is not a bad way to start this season. Next week in Dubai I can have another good meet. So I’m excited."

THE BEST PERFORMERS IN MOSCOW

Men
1. LE CLOS Chad    (RSA): 1:49.83 - 980 pts - 200 fly
2. MOROZOV Vladimir (RUS): 20.59 - 958 pts - 50 free
3. TO Kenneth (AUS): 51.83 - 936 pts - 100 IM

Women
1. MEILUTYTE Ruta (LTU): 1:02.36 - 1016 pts - (WR) 100 breast
2. EFIMOVA Yuliya (RUS): 1:03.53 - 961 pts - 100 breast
3. HOSSZU Katinka (HUN): 58.69 - 952 pts - (heats) 100 IM


PROVISIONAL LEADERS OF THE OVERALL RANKING (Moscow only)

Men
1. LE CLOS Chad (RSA) - 24 pts
2. MOROZOV Vladimir (RUS) - 18 pts
3. TO Kenneth (AUS) - 12 pts

Women
1. MEILUTYTE Ruta (LTU) - 24 pts
2. EFIMOVA Yuliya (RUS) - 18 pts
3. HOSSZU Katinka (HUN) - 12 pts

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11 October 2013

Lausanne (SUI), October 11, 2013 – Moscow (RUS) will welcome the international swimming elite for the third leg of the FINA Swimming World Cup 2013 from October 12-13. The Russian capital, together with Dubai (UAE, October 17-18) and Doha (QAT, October 20-21), constitute the second cluster of the Series.

A total USD 306’000 is on offer for cluster no.2 and will be distributed to the six highest-ranked swimmers among men and women (USD 153'000 for each category), as well as for cluster no.3. At the end of the Series, the men's and women's World Cup winner will receive USD 100'000 in prize money, the second-placed USD 50'000 and third-placed USD 30'000.

Among men, Olympic champion Chad Le Clos (RSA) currently leads the overall rankings with 128 points. In Moscow, all eyes will be on local hope Vladimir Morozov, second so far with 87 points. Hungary’s Daniel Gyurta completes the top-3 with 84 points.

2012 World Cup winner Katinka Hosszu (HUN) tops the women’s general standings with an outstanding 282 points. Spain's Mireia Belmonte is runner-up with 97 points while Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) is third with 86 points.

The FINA Swimming World Cup can be followed through live streaming of finals on FINAtv.

Full calendar of FINA Swimming World Cup 2013:

1st cluster:

August 7-8: Eindhoven (NED)
August 10-11: Berlin (GER)

2nd cluster:

October 12-13: Moscow (RUS)
October 17-18: Dubai (UAE)
October 20-21: Doha (QAT)

3rd cluster:

November 5-6: Singapore (SIN)
November 9-10: Tokyo (JPN)
November 13-14: Beijing (CHN)

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Swimming World Juniors, Day 6: Australia tops the medal count, while US won the Championship Trophy

Gergely Csurka, FINA Media Committee Member

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DUBAI (United Arab Emirates), 31 August – An exciting final day saw the two stars of the FINA Junior World Swimming Championships in Dubai securing a fitting end to their magnificent six-day campaign. Mackenzie Horton (AUS) won the 1500m free, while Ruta Meilutyte (LTU) clinched the 50m free title – both of them earned four individual gold medals respectively. Australia tops the medal count, with the US and Russian teams also showing outstanding performances.

The quality of the results in Dubai is a solid guarantee that the level of Swimming is ensured for the years to come. After the establishment of 47 Championships Records in a 42-event competition (giving an amazing average of more than one record per event), it is confirmed that the 2013 edition was the most successful one and that a new group of talented athletes is ready to shine also at senior level. Many of the names that excelled in the Hamdan Sports Complex in Dubai will be the swimmers to watch in 2015, at the FINA World Championships in Kazan (RUS), and of course at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro (BRA). The level of the organisation in Dubai was also outstanding and set a valuable standard for the future editions of the Championships – in 2015 in Singapore (SIN) and in 2017 in Budapest (HUN).

Caeleb Dressel (USA) had to wait until the last day to prove his fantastic skills in his main individual event: after delivering three sub-49sec swims in relays – all anchor legs – he proved he was capable of doing the same in the 100m free final. He launched a devastating 23.03sec opening 50m, only Luke Percy (AUS) could cope with his speed but Dressel reached the wall a bit better (by 0.09sec). It was a kind of revenge as Percy won the dash by 0.05 ahead of Sedov (the Russian came third this time) and by 0.08 ahead of Dressel.

Ukraine could celebrate a 1-2 finish in the girls 200m breast: Viktoriya Solnceva was a class apart, she went with the pack for 100m then she gained a full second on half-way leader Molly Renshaw (GBR) over the third leg then she produced an amazing last 50m, the split for that was 34.63, the rest of the field clocked 37sec or weaker. Her time (2:23.12) would put her to the 6th place in the final of the FINA World Championships in Barcelona, where the top competitors were naturally faster in the first 150m, but none of them produced a sub-35sec finish.

Caeleb Dressel (USA) - credit: Rita Pannunzi/Deepbluemedia

Italy earned its first title on the last day, thanks to Luca Mencarini in the 200m back who was overwhelming in the second 100m. Connor Green (USA) was way ahead at the halfway mark, Mencarini trailed by almost 2sec at this stage, but he switched gears in the third and came up with a brilliant last 50m. His split was 28.68 (compared to Green’s 30.51) and he clocked the only time inside 1:58min – naturally a new CR. Green was even caught by Keita Sunama (JPN).

The boys 1500m free could bring nothing else but another gold for Mackenzie Horton (AUS). The Aussie crowned his Dubai performance with a sub-15min swim (12sec better than the silver medallist, Jan Micka, CZE). Horton smashed the Championships Record, his time of 14:56.60 would have been enough for the 6th place at the FINA World Championships. Though after the race he said he had expected an even better effort from himself. All in all, Horton earned his fourth individual title in Dubai, winning all free events from 200m through 1500m – a performance hard to copy in the following editions.

Two heroes in Dubai: Meilutyte (LTU) and Horton (AUS) - credit: Giorgio Scala/Deepbluemedia

If Horton was the star among the boys, this title goes to Ruta Meilutyte (LTU) among the girls. She ended her Dubai campaign in style, by clinching the 50m free title. The Lithuanian won the gold right at the beginning: her start was simply amazing (again), her reaction time of 0.59sec was 0.2 better than the others – even though Rozaliya Nasretdinova (RUS) tried desperately to catch her and towards the end she seemed to make it but Meilutyte could maintain the pace and out-touched her rival by 0.08sec. Meilutyte won four individual titles and added a relay crown in the mixed medley, so she could be satisfied – and she was, indeed.

“I’m really happy with what I achieved here, both the results and the time results”, Meilutyte said. “I planned to race here, to test myself in other events (not only the breaststroke), and I can say that one or two might be added to my programme in the future. Yes, the 50m free is always there to try.”

After a rather busy summer, Meilutyte will take a week rest, “that should be enough then I will head back to the pool.”

Andrew Seliskar (USA) - credit: Rita Pannunzi/Deepbluemedia

Another US win followed in the boys 200m fly: Andrew Seliskar offered a finely built-up swim, he had a killing third 50m with a split of 29.04sec, gaining almost two seconds on the half-way leader, Masato Sakai (JPN) and he won comfortably, bringing down the meet mark as well.

Peter John Stevens didn’t make any mistake in the boys 50m breaststroke: after setting a new CR in the heats and winning the semis he ruled the field in the final, too. Though it was a dash, the long and powerful Slovenian’s win was never in danger. This time he couldn’t improve his CR but he was the only one in the field who broke the 28sec barrier.

Diletta Carli (ITA) - credit: Rita Pannunzi/Deepbluemedia

Italy finished the championship on a high note as another gold medal came, this time in the girls 200m free: Diletta Carli’s second 100m stood out as she speeded up and produced a 30.31 split for the third 50m and 29.74 for the last one, both almost half a second better respectively than the others’ results.

The curse on the US medley relays were back again: after the men’s quartet was disqualified in Barcelona, the boys also lost their medals (perhaps this tasted less bitter: not the gold, ‘only’ the bronze gone), due to a disastrous take-over before the fly leg (–0.21sec). The title went to Japan, they really deserved it: after three silver medals just on this day they finally won gold – two runners-up, Sunama (200m back) and Goto (50m back) returned to the pool to grab a shinier medal, ahead of Russia and South Africa.

Girls 4x100m medley gold medallists: Rozaliya Nasretdinova, Svetlana Chimrova, Anna Belousova / Daria Ustinova (RUS) - credit: Giorgio Scala/Deepbluemedia

The event was concluded by Russia’s comfortable win in the women’s medley relay. It was another masterpiece from Svetlana Chimrova, who earlier had won the 50m and 100m fly cracking the respective CRs each time racing (6 CRs, altogether): she was two seconds faster than the rivals in the fly, and Rosaliya Nasretdinova easily secured their win in the home-coming leg. They also cracked the Championship Record so the count for the CRs stopped at 47 – this number well can be regarded as the 48th Championship Record.

The medal count is topped by Australia, they had one more gold (10) than Russia and the US team, both finishing with 9 titles – though both sides collected more medals in total than the Australians. The US won the trophies of the team competitions in both the boys’ and the girls’ fields. Thus they received the Championship Trophy – a great conclusion of the championship, which has set the bar really high for the future organisers, thanks to the magnificent efforts of the hosts, the United Arab Emirates Swimming Federation.

The winning team of USA - credit: Giorgio Scala/Deepbluemedia

Medallists, Day 6

Boys 100m free
1. Caeleb Dressel USA        48.97 CR
2. Luke Percy AUS            49.06
3. Evgeny Sedov RUS        49.47

Boys 1500m free
1. Mackenzie Horton AUS        14:56.60 CR 
2. Jan Micka CZE            15:08.43
3. Pawel Furtek POL            15:17.48

Boys 200m back
1. Luca Mencarini ITA        1:57.92 CR
2. Keita Sunama JPN            1:58.21
3. Connor Green USA            1:58.42

Boys 50m breast
1. Peter John Stevens SLO        27.98
2. Kohei Goto JPN            28.09
3. Vsevolod Zanko RUS        28.18

Boys 200m fly
1. Andrew Seliskar USA        1:56.42 CR
2. Masato Sakai JPN            1:56.82
3. Alexander Kudashev RUS        1:58.57

Boys 4x100m medley relay
1. Japan                3:38.13 CR
(Keita Sunama, Kohei Goto, Takaya Yasue, Toru Maruyama)
2. Russia                3:38.72
(Grigory Tarasevich, Vselovod Zanko, Alexander Kudashev, Evgeny Sedov)
3. South Africa            3:42.01
(Christopher Reid, Jarred Crous, Ryan Coetzee, Caydon Muller)

Girls 50m free
1. Ruta Meilutyte LTU        25.10
2. Rozaliya Nasretdinova RUS    25.16
3. Siobhan Bernade Haughey HKG    25.38

Girls 200m free
1. Diletta Carli ITA            1:58.94
2. Mariia Baklakova RUS        1:59.51
3. Quinn Carrozza USA        1:59.69

Girls 200m breast
1. Viktoriya Solnceva UKR        2:23.12 CR
2. Anastasiya Malyavina UKR    2:27.46
3. Silvia Guerra ITA            2:27.51

Girls 100m fly
1. Svetlana Chimrova RUS        58.34 CR
2. Liliana Szilagyi HUN        58.73
3. Jemma Schlicht AUS        59.08

Girls 4x100m medley relay
1. Russia                4:04.48 CR
(Daria Ustinova, Anna Belousova, Svetlana Chimrova, Rozaliya Nasretdinova)
2. Great Britain            4:05.42
(Jessica Fullalove, Sophie Taylor, Emma Day, Grace Vertigans)
3. United States            4:05.76
(Kathleen Baker, Olivia Anderson, Courtney Weaver, Cierra Runge)