SWC 2016: One new and one tied World Records set in Paris-Chartres on Day 1

Katinka Hosszu (HUN) and Chad Le Clos (RSA) were off to a sparkling start today at l’Odyssée Swimming Pool in Paris-Chartres – the venue staging the first leg of the FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup 2016 on August 26-27.

Hosszu accumulated the most medals on this fist day with a total of 6 (3 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze).  

Three swimmers count two gold medals: Morozov (RUS), Le Clos (RSA) and Van der Burgh (RSA).

Men’s races

The action-packed programme today started with the men’s 100m free, in which Vladimir Morozov (RUS) triumphed in 45.57, adding an eighth medal to his impressive tally in this particular event at the World Cup.

Following Morozov’s flying start, the athlete set later in the competition a new World Record in the 100m IM event touching home in 50.60 seconds. The previous best global mark had been set in December 2014 by Markus Deibler (GER) in 50.66. Philip Heintz (GER) and Hiromasa Fujimori placed second and third, in this order. South African swimmers have won this event a record 22 times but neither Cameron Van der Burgh or Chad Le Clos took part in the race.

Staying in South Africa, two-time silver medallist in Rio Le Clos took gold in the 200m fly in 1:51.25 and last year overall winner Van der Burgh was the fastest in the 200m breast in 2:05.12 and the 50m breast in 29.98, beating French Manaudou who took silver.  

Le Clos, who was in great shape today, also topped the 50m fly, taking the lead in the second lap. He won in 22.17 and added a tenth victory in this event to his champion’s tally.

Germany’s Heintz, second in the 100m IM behind the Russian, nevertheless touched home first in the 400m IM in 4:03.51.

Australia’s Bobby Hurley (50.51) narrowly beat his compatriot Mitch Larkin (50.54) in the 100m back.

In the 400m free, France’s Jordan Pothain took the lead half way and maintained the pace to win the race in 3:40.56. He beat Great Britain’s James Guy and Australia’s Bobby Hurley. Australian swimmers have won 10 of the last 12 men's 400m freestyle races, Hurley won it three times.

Women’s races

In true “Iron Lady” style Katinka Hosszu (HUN) clinched gold in the women’s 200m free in 1:53.34. She detains the winning World Cup record in this event with 18 victories. The two Australians Leah Neale and Madeline Groves followed for silver and bronze, giving them both their first medal in this event.

Despite Jeanette Ottesen being the favourite in this event, Hosszu also claimed gold in the 100m fly in 56.09 for the second time in this competition. However Ottesen won the 50m free in 23.72, leaving French swimmer Anna Santamans with a silver medal to the crowd’s satisfaction.

After becoming the first ever Danish woman to win this event, Ottesen declared: “Short course, I love it! I haven’t swum it for the past two years but it is so much fun.”

The Magyar athlete added one more bronze medal today, in the competitive 50m back – an event won by Emily Seebhom of Australia in 26.15.

Hosszu did not stop there, she was the best in the 200m IM too (2:06.64), in front of Atkinson (JAM, silver) and Miho Takahashi (JPN, bronze). She however missed gold in the 200m back, which was won by Ukrainian Daryna Zevina who has been training in South Africa before the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Zevina set a new World Cup Record in 1:59.35. Before that one, Katinka Hosszu won the women's 200m backstroke race.

Jamaica’s swimming great Alia Atkinson reached new heights today in the 100m breast and tied a world record in 1:02.36. Incredibly, this is the third time this World Record is achieved: firstly, in 2013 by Ruta Meilutyte (LTU) and then already by Atkinson in December 2014. The Jamaican star beat North American Katie Meili and Russia’s Yulia Efimova and add a 14th World Cup victory to her tally. According to FINA rules, swimmers equalling a world record shall receive an extra 10 points in the ranking but no prize money.

Smiling Atkinson said: “Today is a happy day! I was super proud of myself. My only thought was – bring a medal home”

“I first saw that I was first and then the World Record tie. It wasn’t so bad. My confidence is high now.”

Germany’s Franziska Hentke pocketed gold in the 800m in 8:24.66 making her grab her first medal of the 2016 meet. Race’s favourite Hosszu ranked second, less than one second later in 8:25.23.

Relays

The first competition day concluded with the mixed 4x50 medley in which “Les Bleus” claimed the gold medal in 1:39.46, in front of Russia and Australia. The French team had won this event in Doha back in 2013. According to the rules, the mixed relays today and tomorrow do not bring any points for the ranking. 

This competition is sponsored by airweave, a FINA partner since 2014.

All results are provided by OMEGA and available here