Lisbeth Lenton Takes Two at Qantas Skins Meet; The USA’s Nick Brunelli and Randall Bal Win Too

SYDNEY, November 22. AUSSIE Golden Girls Lisbeth Lenton and Leisel Jones were winners today at the Qantas Skins meet in Sydney, as were US swimmers Nick Brunelli and Randall Bal.

Queenslander Lenton was the only double winner at the seventh annual Skins meet, which attracted a capacity crowd, propelling her way to victory in both the women's 50m fly and 50m free. Her efforts earned her AUS$10,000.

Lenton's final effort in the 50 free was 25.75 seconds, just over a second above her Aussie national record.

Jones took the 50 breast over a stellar field that included short course WR-holder Jade Edmistone (second) and Brooke Hanson (third). According to Fox Sports, the win "appeared to do wonders for the confidence of Jones, who seemed to have overcome the frustration of missing individual gold in Athens."

"It was good for me mentally, I'm definitely happy with the way I went," Jones said. "I've got no expectations on myself at the moment.

"I just wanted to have a good race in an event – I haven't had a race for so long."

The visiting Americans went one-two in the men's 50 free and 50 back.

Fast-improving Nick Brunelli, an Arizona State grad, was the upset winner in the 50 free, beating teammate Jason Lezak into second. Brunelli, who improves with every race and gains confidence with every win, may well emerge as America's next great sprint champion.

Randall Bal upset teammate Aaron Peirsol, the world record-holder over 100 and 200 meters backstroke, to lead a one-two US charge in the 50 meter backstroke. Aussie Olympian Matt Welsh was fifth, just ahead of Michael Jackson (nooo, not that Michael Jackson!).

In other events: Adam Lucas, a young man on the rise, breezed to an easy three-second win in the men's 200m mystery medley while Alice Mills took the women's event by two seconds in 2:16.02.

Giaan Rooney, who swam the first leg of Australia's world record-breaking 400m medley relay in Athens, failed to qualify for the final of the 50m backstroke here. That race was won by Tayliah Zimmer.

Linda Mackenzie took the 400m free.

In the men's events, James Beasley, a virtual unknown, won the 50m breaststroke after Olympic finalist Jim Piper was ousted in the heats.
Beasley upset Queenslander Mark Riley in the final.

The 50m fly fell to Andrew Rickard with favored Adam Pine third and Britain's James Hickman fourth.

Nick Sprenger took the 400m free ahead of Tony Matkovich and the USA's Robert Margalis.

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