Jones, Thorpe Upset at Aussie Grand Prix

By Kurt Hanson

BRISBANE, May 12. OLYMPIC silver medalist Leisel Jones was upset by her Redcliffe Leagues Lawnton teammate, Tarnee White, in the women's 100m breast-stroke today, to highlight competition on the first day of the Telstra Grand Prix, being held at the Chandler Aquatic Centre in Brisbane. White clocked 1:09.77 to Jones' 1:10.16 with Brooke Hanson third in 1:10.55.

Olympic relay gold medalist, Todd Pearson (50.30) also scored an upset win, defeating triple Olympic gold medalist and Australian champion, Ian Thorpe (50.79), in the men's 100m freestyle with David Jenkins third (50.93).

Other events ran to form. Local hero Hayley Lewis gave herself the perfect Mothers Day present when she won the 800m freestyle in front of her home crowd.
Lewis staged a titantic struggle with her 16-year-old World Championship teammate, Amanda Pascoe, with Lewis taking victory by just 0.16 seconds in a ho-hum time of 8:45.64 to Pascoe's 8:45.80.

"If you had told me back in 1991 when I won the 200m freestyle world championship at the age of 16 that I would be still swimming at the age of 27, married with a son, then I would not have believed you," Lewis said.

"It's just great to be still swimming and still enthusiastic about my swimming and I am really looking forward to the World Championships.

"I'm actually swimming more for my family and my husband Greg's family than myself."

Lewis will contest the 1500, 5km and 10km at this year's Ninth FINA World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan in July, while Pascoe will debut in the 800 and 1500m freestyle.

Pascoe was excited but at the same time nervous at making the Australian team and swimming against Lewis -one of her idols – but at the same time a swimmer from whom Pascoe can learn much.

Meanwhile Gold Coast teenager, Giaan Rooney swam well to take the 200m freestyle, stopping the clock at 2:00.94, ahead of good friend and world championship teammate, Elka Graham (2:01.97) and Miami training partner, Katie Canning (2:03.01).

Olympic silver medalists won their events in their respective strokes, Michael Klim taking the butterfly and Matt Welsh, the backstroke.

Klim won the 200m butterfly in 1:58.94 ahead of Australian Institute of Sport teammate and Olympic bronze medalist, Justin Norris (2:01.10), with Queenslander, Shane Fielding (2:01.59) third.

Victorian, Welsh (56.64) was pushed to the wall by fellow world championship team members, Ray Hass (56.94) and Josh Watson (57.72) in the 100m backstroke final.

Olympic finalist and World Championship team member, Regan Harrison (2:16.83) took the men's 200m breast-stroke in front of East Asian Games and Campbelltown, teenager, Jim Piper (2:17.07), with Harrison's world championship teammate, Simon Cowley (2:17.15) third. Harrison's time was his fastest while in heavy training.

World Championship rookie, Grant McGregor once again showed why he is ready to take over the medley mantle from the retired Matt Dunn after taking the 400m individual medley in 4:23.27 ahead of East Asian Games members, Robert van der Zant (4:28.89) and Trent Steed (4:31.09).

World Championship butterfly representatives, Petria Thomas (59.00) and Julia Ham (1:01.22) completed a one-two finish in the 100m event with East Asian Games team member, Lara Davenport (1:01.38) taking the bronze.

Lori Munz confirmed that she is fully recovered and ready to contest her second World Championships after winning the 200m individual medley in 2:19.13, ahead of Western Australian, Jennifer Reilly (2:19.18) and East Asian Games member Jessica Abbott (2:20.82) of NSW third.

In the women's 200m backstroke, the winner was NSW World Championship rookie Kelly Tucker, in a time of 2:15.61, with Giaan Rooney second (2:16.15) and East Asian Games representative Chloe Bennett third in 2:16.86. Australian champion Clementine Stoney fourth in 2:17.12.

The 50 meter freestyle final went to Australian record holder Sarah Ryan (26.15) from Australian champion Michelle Engelsman (26.52) and Sophie Edington third in 26.75.

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