US Wins 4, Aussies 2, on Day 4 of Pan Pacs. Malchow Upsets Phelps, and Thompson, Hansen and Benko Take Gold

By Stephen J. Thomas

YOKOHAMA, Japan, August 27. THE 2002 Pan Pacific Championships continued to play true to form on the fourth day of competition, with the USA and Australia essentially engaged in an extended dual meet. Host Japan is swimming well, as is Canada — despite a dearth of medals, while China has been strangely — and ominously — silent.

Today, the US won four finals to Australia's two, extending its lead over the Aussies in the medal count to 12-8 of the golden variety, 35-18 overall.

There were some dramatic swims today, including Olympic champion Tom Malchow's upset win over Boy Wonder Michael Phelps in the men's 200m fly, and comebacking Jenny Thompson's surprising lifetime best time to win the 50 free.

Men's 200m Butterfly
It was always going to be a battle of the two American giants: world record-holder, Michael Phelps, versus Olympic gold medalist, Tom Malchow. In an upset that can only benefit both swimmers, Malchow took the gold from the whippersnapper, Phelps.

Phelps got the jump on his older rival leading by 0.57 at the halfway mark. Then Malchow edged ahead to turn first at the 150 with a lead of just 0.31. Phelps turned to his patented final lap sprint, but Malchow held on to win by just 0.2 of a second – 1:55.21 to 1:55.41.

Japan's Olympic 100 fly finalist, Takashi Yamamoto, put in a magnificent performance to stay in touch with the leaders, clocking a national record that lifted him to sixth all-time performer with his 1:55.71.

"The last big meet I won was the Olympics," Malchow said. "It's been tough to get on that number one podium with people like Michael (Phelps), Takashi
(Yamamoto) and Franck Esposito swimming so fast. It's great to win against such a strong field. Breaking 1:55 is still a thorn in my side, but I'll get there one of these days. Michael and I have been going back and forth and he's not going away anytime soon."

Men's 200m Breaststroke
Aussie Jim Piper broke the championship record in qualifying for the final in a fast 2:11.54. But it's the final that counts and world champ Brendan Hansen, of the USA, proved his worth with an all-the-way win in a very solid 2:11.80, pulling away from Piper (2:12.53) and a fast-finishing Japanese, Daisuke Kimura (2:12.71). Canada's Mike Brown was a promising fourth in a PR 2:12.87.

Men's 800m Freestyle Relay
The Aussie men have made this race their own in recent big meets. However, tonight there were two new faces on the team: Craig Stevens and Jason Cram to swim with freestyle kings, Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett.

Hackett, with a 1:46.60, gave the Aussies a good lead over the USA's Nate Dusing in 1:49.00. Then Klete Keller (1:47.31) made up some ground on Craig Stevens (1:48.35) and IM gold medalist Michael Phelps swam 1:47.49 to give USA a slender 0.40 of a second lead, touching ahead of Jason Cram (1:49.25).

It was the first time in many a year that the US led after 600 meters. But 4-tenths of a second lead was certainly not enough. Perhaps four seconds might have given the victory to the Yanks, though even then the Thorpedo might have made it up.

Thorpe clocked the second fastest relay split in history — a 1:44.80 (off his all-time best 1:44.14 at the World Champs in 2001) — and Chad Carvin splashed out a valiant 1:48.01. The Aussies took the gold in 7:09.00 to the USA's 7:11.81. Canada won only its second medal of the Championships, taking the bronze in 7:17.30. Thorpe has his fourth gold in the bag with the 100 free his next target tomorrow.

Women's 50m Freestyle
Experience often comes to the fore in the one-lap dash, and tonight Jenny Thompson demonstrated just that when she put together an excellent race to win a famous victory.

This was the seventh consecutive time JT has medaled at Pan Pacs in this event (5 gold, 2 silver) and to make it all the more special, it was a PR for the 29-year-old breaking her previous best she set as an 18-year-old, way back in 1992. Thompson clocked 25.13 to take 0.07 off her best – giving hope to all of us beyond the age of 25.

Thompson was philosophical after her swim. "I was very relaxed before the race. I did not have much expectation and, to be honest, had forgotten about all my past Pan Pac medals. It was a real buzz to be here. I felt lucky, like a new beginning for me. Now I feel my swimming is less about me and more about what I can do for others — a healthier perspective about the sport, I think."

Aussie Jodie Henry took the silver in 25.32, just outside her Australian record 25.29 set yesterday, from the USA's Tammie Stone (25.26).

Stone said after the race she was disappointed with her time. " haven't been feeling myself this past couple of weeks but at least I've come away with a medal and will work for that with the World Championships in mind next year."

Women's 200m Freestyle
The USA's Lindsay Benko built her race on a strong first 100 and held her form strongly to touch in 1:58.74 just 0.18 seconds outside her PR set earlier this month in Florida. Benko held off fast finishing Aussie rivals Elka Graham (1:59.72) and World Champion, Giaan Rooney (1:59.82) to win her first individual Pan Pac gold.

Out of the medals, Japan's Tomoko Hagiwara's 2:00.26 held off American double gold medalist, Diana Munz, at 2:00.95.

Women's 200m Butterfly
Americans Emily Mason and Mary Descenza headed Aussie world champion Petria Thomas in qualifying for this final, which came after the USA had won four straight finals. This time the Aussies had something to cheer about as Thomas had been keeping a little in the tank for this race. She led at every turn and touched in a solid 2:08.31, well outside her best of 2:06.73 from the World Champs in 2001.

Descenza came from behind to move ahead of her team-mate Mason in the last lap and take the silver in a PR 2:09.56 to 2:10.59.

Semifinals

Men's 100m Freestyle
The USA's Scott Tucker, at 49.20, was fastest qualifier ahead of Aussies Ian Thorpe, 49.24, and
Ashley Callus, 49.61. Canada's Brent Hayden swam his second PR and national record of the meet to qualify fourth in a fast 49.70. The USA's Nate Dusing clocked 50.28 to also made the cut.

Todd Pearson was fifth fastest in 49.95 but missed the final as third best Aussie.

Men's 200m Backstroke
As expected, world record-holder Aaron Peirsol (USA), with a very swift 1:56.49 was a street ahead of the rest of the field. Japan's Takashi Nakano was next best with 1:59.87 while Aussie Matt Welsh was a touch away, third fastest in 1:59.97.

Women's 200m Breaststroke
Aussie teen, Leisel Jones, came back to form with a fast 2:26.86 to qualify fastest ahead of Americans Kirsty Kowal (2:27.34) and Amanda Beard (2:27.44).

Medal Standings after Day 4:

Gold Silver Bronze Total
USA 12 14 9 35
Australia 8 7 3 18
Japan 2 1 7 10
Canada 0 0 2 2
China 0 0 1 1

PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS
Yokohama, Japan
August 24-29

DAY FOUR: August 27, 2002
Semifinals and Finals Results

Event 51 100m Freestyle Men Semifinals

Ranking Results

WR 47.84 Pieter VAN DEN HOOGENBAND NED 2000/09/19 SYDNEY
CR 48.81 Michael KLIM AUS 1999/08/25 SYDNEY