Canadian Trials Day 4: Malar, Limpert Breeze in 200 IM

MONTREAL, May 31. JOANNE Malar and Marianne Limpert finished one-two in the women's 200 meter individual medley on the fourth night of the Canadian Olympic Trials in Montreal, giving Canada a powerful one-two punch for Sydney in the event. Malar finished in 2:14.38 with Limpert a quarter of a second behind in 2:14.63.

Malar gave a graphic presentation of the importance of a strong breaststroke in the IM, as Limpert actually had faster splits for each of the other three strokes. But Malar's 38.60 breaststroke leg was more than a match for Limpert's 40.28. Malar overcame a .89 sec. deficit at the half-way mark to pull ahead at the 150 and hang on for the win.

Jessica Deglau won the women's 200 meter freestyle in 2:00.88, a bit slower than her semi-final time last night. Laura Nichols, who negative split her race, was close behind at 2:01.01. Deglau took over the lead at 75 meters and held it for another 75, when Nichols, who was fourth at the 100, passed her. But Deglau dug deep to overtake Nichols on the final lap and preserve her victory.

Shamek Pietucha won the men's 200m butterfly in 1:59.79, slower than his two earlier swims. Pietucha had the race well in hand when he faltered in the final 50 meters but barely hung on to edge 18-year-old Adam Sioui, at 2:00.02.

In semi-final action, Canadian 100 meter freestyle record-holder Yannick Lupien (49.94) qualified first for the final. Morgan Knabe, who won the 100 meter breaststroke, was easily the fastest 200 meter breaststroker in tonights semi, qualifying first in 2:15.19.

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