Thorpe describes heat performance as sluggish

Ian Thorpe made his return to national competition, in a heat of the 200 metres freestyle, at the Commonwealth Games Swimming Trials this morning.

Thorpe, who qualified fastest for tonight’s final with a time of 1:49.58 seconds, provided a very interesting comment after he swam.

When asked how he described his performance in the heat, he said “It was sluggish at best.”

Thorpe’s coach, Tracey Menzies, was happy to see her swimmer perform well in the heats even if he himself believed his performance was below par.

“It was a comfortable, good morning swim for Ian. They (swimmers) have good days and bad days.”

Giaan Rooney opened her trials campaign by swimming in a heat of the 100 metres backstroke and finished with a time of 1:02.84 seconds to finish second fastest behind 2005 World Championships team member Tayliah Zimmer, who swam 1:02.39 seconds.

“I’m happy to get the meet underway and it’s been so long coming.”

Libby Lenton, Jodie Henry and Alice Mills, there of the four members of the Athens Olympics Gold medal winning 4x100 metres freestyle relay team were in action today, in heats of the 100 metres freestyle.

All three qualified for tonight’s semi finals after recording times of 54.56, 55.19 and 55.50 seconds respectively.

Lenton, who had an illness cloud hanging over her leading into today’s heats, was able to still qualify with a very fast time.

“I wasn’t feeling that great, bit it was a good, solid hit out.”

Henry, who has been criticised of late for spending more time being a celebrity than as a swimmer, was happy with her time leading into the finals.

“56.19, I’m surprised for it to be such a good time and I’m ready to go for tonight.”

Mills, who has had a low key start to these trials, was happy to make the semi final after a mixed day at yesterday’s heats.

“I’m training well and giving it my best shot.”

Michael Klim, who has struggled with injury and form issues over the last two years, opened his account today to finish fourth overall in qualifying of the 200 metres freestyle after recording a time of 1:50.08 seconds.

“It was a good out and a good way to open the meet; it will get me ready for other events.”

Craig Stevens couldn’t back up from his excellent performance in last night’s 400 metres freestyle final and qualified for the B final of the 200 metres freestyle with a time of 1:50.96 seconds.

Victorian junior representative, Emma Neely, rated as a Beijing Olympics prospect by her Melbourne Vicentre club mate Rooney, had a mixed day in the two heats (100 metres backstroke and freestyle) she contested and performed best in the freestyle where she recorded a new personal best time of 58.91 seconds.

Night two finals highlights include Jessicah Schipper and Alice Mills in the 50 metres butterfly and a refreshed Thorpe in the 200 metres freestyle.

Related Article:

Stevens swims his way to Commonwealth Games (Mon Jan 30)

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