BALTIMORE, Maryland, November 14. A little more than four months out from the World Championships in Melbourne, Katie Hoff got in some racing over the weekend at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club's Fall FASTival. Hoff contested a pair of events on Sunday, winning the 50-yard freestyle and 100 butterfly.
Scheduled to contest the 200 and 400 individual medley events, along with the 200 freestyle at the World Champs, Hoff touched the wall first at the NBAC competition in the 50 free in 23.11. She then lit the water on fire in the 100 fly, prevailing comfortably in 53.61. Hoff is the American-record holder in the 200 I.M., but not the only big-time American competing over the weekend.
While Hoff raced in Baltimore, Kate Ziegler and Elizabeth Beisel were in action at the New York City Open, sponsored by Asphalt Green. The premier distance freestyler in the world, Ziegler won the 100 free (50.48), 200 free (1:47.45), 500 free (4:42.65) and 1,000 free (9:37.48) while in heavy training. As for Beisel, also preparing for the World Champs, she won the 100 backstroke (57.74), 200 back (2:01.92), 200 I.M. (2:05.88) and 400 I.M. (4:25.71).