Thorpe blitzes field in comeback

Ian Thorpe has blitzed the field in tonight’s 200 metres freestyle final, recording a time of 1:46.42 seconds to take his sixth National title.

Thorpe, at his first National level meet since returning from a year’s break, was surprised that he performed so well after having been on a reduced training regime leading into the New South Wales State Championships and this meet.

“I was very surprised, considering (coach) Tracey (Menzies) has had me on a reduced training program. It was a strange one.”

Another World record was broken tonight, this time by Libby Lenton, who recorded a time of 53.42 in the semi final of the 100 metres freestyle.

She smashed the previous World mark set by friend and foe Jodie Henry at the Athens Olympics by just point one of a second.

Lenton, who finished ahead of fellow Queenslanders Henry and Alice Mills, suggested semi finals might be something where her overall swimming ability shines.

“I must like semi finals and wasn’t as nervous as last night.”

Whilst the World record is a great achievement by Lenton, she still needs to finish in the top three in tomorrow night’s final to qualify for the Commonwealth Games team.

Michael Klim and Matt Welsh, with times of 23.88 and 24.18 seconds respectively have both qualified for tomorrow night’s 50 metres butterfly.

Welsh, who is better known for his breaststroke performances is looking to add to an already impressive list of national records and titles which includes seven National 100 metre backstroke titles including the last four in succession.

“That’s 44 (titles and records) last time I checked and am looking to add more breaststroke ones to it.”

He also claimed yet another 50 metres backstroke title, with a time of 25.58 seconds ahead of Andrew Lauterstein (25.83) and two time Olympian Josh Watson (25.97).

In the 50 metres breaststroke, Jessicah Schipper finished second with a time of 26.63 seconds behind World Champion Danni Miatke, who recorded a time of 26.23 seconds to take her second consecutive National title.

Athens Paralympian Matthew Cowdrey set two new World records for his classification (S9) in the multi disability events, with 30.11 seconds in the 50 metres backstroke and 2:18.40 seconds in the 200 metres individual medley.

Morning three of heats will be highlighted by Ian Thorpe appearing in a heat of the 100 metres freestyle and Leisel Jones in the final 200 metres breaststroke heat.

Related Article:

Thorpe describes heat performance as sluggish (Tues Jan 31)

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