Australian Short Course Champs - Day 1
1999-09-02

Two New World Records & One Record Equalled

FINAL WOMENS 200M BUTTERFLY

Susan O'Neill the World Record holder in this event swam a New World Record in the final.

She went out under her old world record pace and built the race as she went under WR pace at each of the turns through to the 150m mark. She came home strongly in the last 50m to set a new mark for SC 200m fly swimming. Like good wine the veteran Australian, married to Dr Cliff Fairley, gets better with age.

Susan says she will continue with her swimming career until she also captures the LC 200m WR held by Mary T Meagher USA since 1981.

The splits of her two WR's show the different approach by this great Australian butterflyer on this occasion, to go almost a second off her record swum at the World Cup Meet in Malmo Sweden on 17 February 1999.

Susan O'Neill's two WR race splits:

50m 100m 150m 200m
17 February 99 28.34 59.85 1:32.22 2:05.37
2 September 99 29.26 1:00.57 1:32.77 2:04.43
RESULT
1. Susan O'Neill Commercial Club QLD 2:04.43
2. Julia Ham Chandler QLD 2:11.32
3. Sarah Windsor Yeronga Park/QAS QLD 2:12.66

SEMI-FINAL MEN'S 100M BUTTERFLY

NEW WORLD RECORD TO MICHAEL KLIM IN SEMI FINAL
Although feeling jaded from a full eight days of racing at last weeks Pan Pacs, where he won dual gold in the 100m butterfly and freestyle no to mention gold and WR in the 800m LC Freestyle Relay, then a great lead of swim in yesterdays NWR in the 800m SC Freestyle Relay, Michael Klim blasted out to split halfway ahead of WR pace.

The current WR was held at 51.02 by James Hickman,GBR at Sheffield, Dec.13, 1998 . Klim previously held the record on two occasions, breaking the record twice in the one day at the World Cup Meet, Sydney 22 January, 1998. Now the first man to break 51.00 for 100m Fly and the FINAL to come tomorrow.

The new world records splits were:

25m 50m 75m 100m
11.04 23.76 37.18 50.99

FINAL MEN'S 400M INDIVIDUAL

Matthew Dunn Olympian, dual Comonwealth gold medallist and Pan Pac gold medallist last week in the 200m turned 26 years of age today. The popular Institute of Sport swimmer celebrated with an easy swim holding off Grant McGregor the big improver in the Pan Pacs medleys.

Happy Birthday Matt!

McGregor has put himself into a strong position where he can challenger for the Olympic team in 2000.

RESULT
1. Matt Dunn Sydney Uni/AIS 4:09.60
2. Grant McGregor Brothers 4:10.23
3. Trent Steed Campbelltown/AIS NSW 4:14.05

FINAL WOMEN'S 400M INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY

The early leader was leader was Jacinta van Lint; Olympian Emma Johnson, Wilkinson Club NSW, was at hand in the fly and backstroke, She was followed by the two Western Australians, Rachel Harris and Jennifer Reilly. Harris and Reilly gained good yardage in breaststroke with Harris the leader coming into the last 50 of freestyle. Reilly a medley specialist wanted the gold more and took the honours ahead of Harris.

RESULT
1. Jennifer Riley Victoria Park WA 4:39.13
2. Emma Johnson Wilkinson NSW 4:39.30
3. Rachel Harris Claremont Uniswim WA 4:42.53

FINAL MEN'S 50M BREASTSTROKE

Simon Cowley SLC Aquadot NSW, Commonwealth and Pan Pacific dual gold medallist in breaststroke was DQ'd for a false start leaving the door open for South Australian Nathan Hewitt to score his first open national title.

RESULT
1. Nathan Hewitt Elizabeth Aquatic SA 28.06
2. Rob Abernethy Carlile Club NSW 28.29
3. Steven McBrien Ryde Club/NSW IS 28.34

FINAL MEN'S 50M BACKSTROKE

WELSH EQUALS RUPPRATHS MARK
In semi final 1 Matt Welsh Surrey Park a national team member and representing Surrey Park VIC, swam an ALL TIME world best 5th place - he is the first Australian to make the 50m list in backstroke.

The final saw an EQUAL WORLD RECORD from the fast improving Surrey Park swimmer who medalled at the Pan Pacs last week.

Australia is at last finding some fast sprint backstrokers to bolster our national medal team prospects. Matt is coached by Ian Pope at the Melbourne based club.

RESULT
1. Matt Welsh Surrey Park VIC 24.13
2. Josh Watson Kingscliff NSW 24.85
3. Adrian Radley Nunawadingg/AIS VIC 24.94