World Masters Championships – Day 6 Highlights

By Michael Collins

MUNICH, Germany – Team scoring, it's not necessarily what you think. When the small, but extremely strong, team from Alaska found out they weren't keeping score at the meet – they took things into their own hands. They made score cards 1-10 and graded each of their swimmers on how good/bad they looked coming home the last 25 of the 200 Fly. The worse you look, the higher the score. The victor by far was Mike Sorenson, who went out with a two-body length lead in 1:01 in the fastest heat of the 30-34, only to crumble home in 1:17, as the world passed him by for a 2:18.70 total. Still a good enough time for sixth place, but certainly not the most enjoyable way to do it. He scored a 9 for ugly.

Tomorrow is the last day of pool competition. Only the 800 Free will be contested. Can you say 10 hours of 800's? I knew you could.

The open water 5K is coming up in a few days. There is lots of speculation on how cold it will be and if it should be canceled. Apparently FINA rules recommend canceling the race if the water is below 18 Celsius. It's been hovering right around that. We had a few warm days in a row, but the two days going into the swim are expected to be overcast and rainy. Since it's in a rowing venue, safety shouldn't be a big issue since you can get out just about anywhere on the course be swimming less than 100 yards toward the side. I think they will run it, but I'm not looking forward to freezing my butt off for an hour or so.

Day 6 Events:

200 FLY – MEN
Three world records were set in the 200 Fly – two by Americans. Jesse Coon, from Team Texas, became the first guy over 90 to complete the distance to set the record at 8:22.48. Günter Schopke from Germany broke Drury Gallagher's record of 2:53.53 when he went 2:52.73. Finally, Bradley Horner from Wisconsin blazed a 2:19.42, to break Boo Gallas' 2:21.84 set back in 1996, to win the age group by over 5 seconds ahead of fellow American David Vandam (2:25.91).

Mark Vogel from Denmark had the fastest overall time in winning the 30-34 division in 2:11.19.

American’s were strong in winning five of the age groups. Anton Cerer and Richard Smith went 1-2 in the 80-84 (4:46.15-5:15.85). Art Kelly of Arizona was fourth in 75-79 (4:49.38). Michael Torsney was second in 70-74 (4:03.66). Dave Tanner spanked the 50-55 men in 2:28.67. Second was Jacek Krawczyk of Poland at 2:35.31. Bill Specht demolished the 40-44 age group by nearly ten seconds winning in 2:13.83, one of the fastest times of the day.

Finally, Brant Hasebe managed to medal in the 25-29 with a sixth place (2:23.35)

Click Here to see the Results

200 FLY – WOMEN

Only one record fell in the women's 200 Fly. The 55-59 age group saw an incredible battle between Susana Barkley from Spain and Judy Wilson from Great Britain (who already had a few world records in the bag). Both women blew away the world record of 3:14.39. Barkley finished first in 3:00.95, with Wilson at 3:05.21.

The fastest time of the day went to Christina Larsen of Denmark who won the 25-29 age group in 2:26.99.

U.S. women held their own with Lois Nochman (4:25.16), Betty Dunn (6:13.98), and Marjorie Newman 7:47.19) placing 1-2-4 in the 75-59. June Krauser (4:09.31) was second to Silvia Neuhauser (3:56.21) of Austria in the 70-75. Catherine Quill (3:28.99) made the podium with third in the 50-54 age group. Nancy Steadman-Martin of Garden State Masters was second in 45-49 (2:56.65). JoAnn Harrelson from St. Pete’s medaled in the 40-44 with a seventh (3:06.82). Laureen Welting (2:34.90) and June Ford (2:39.47) placed fourth and fifth in 35-39. Finally, Sandie Easton got the last medal in the 30-34 placing eighth (2:38.00).

Click Here to see the Results

50 FREE – MEN

Frank Piemme from Ojai-Santa Barbara was the only world record breaker in the 50 Free. His time of 31.19 to win the 75-79 age group broke Keijiro Nakamura’s 1998 time of 32.07. USA domintated that age group taking 1-4-5-7 with Paul Hutinger (34.05), John Truby (35.68), and Ricahrd Avery (37.83)

Michael Fibbins of Great Britain had the fastest overall time winning the 30-34 in 23.73.

Frank Starr took fourth in 90-94, (1:07.19). Allan de Lay (47.43), from Oregon, was third in 85-89. Peter Van Dijk won the 70-74 (31.81), with Dick Webber fourth (31.88), and Harold Ferris eighth (34.14). Cav Cavanaugh (28.41) took home another gold for Gold Coast Masters in the 65-59, well ahead of Antonio Soares de Souza of Brazil (30.13). James Krueger (28.91) and Charles Raven (29.27), both from the Olympic Club finished second and fourth in 60-64.

Roger Hawkins came up just a fingernail short of victory in the 50-54 when he was out-touched by South African Terry Downs (26.20-26.26). Bill Barthhold finished third at 26.51.

The 45-49 was an impressive age group for the Americans. Rick Abbott from Alaska won (25.26), with Eric Van Boer (26.46) and Bill Adkinson (26.87), both from Rolling Hills Mud Sharks third and sixth, Bill Drulias (27.25) eight, and Scott Williams (27.35), Olympic Club Coach, ninth. Special note: James Montgomery had the second fastest time (25.43) but was DQ’d for false starting.

Michael Halfast was third in 35-39 (24.67), and Kirk Everist was the youngest American to medal taking sixth in 30-34 (24.67).

Click Here to see the Results

50 FREE – WOMEN

The fastest time went to Bryndis Olafsdottir of Germany (27.61) winning the 30-34 age group.

American’s showed the Euros a little about sprint free when Florence Carr (39.78), Petey Smith (42.61), Billie Ann Burrill (51.27), and Sarah Allnutt placed 1-2-6-7-8 in the 75-79 age group.

Diane Stowell packed another silver medal in her bag, placing second in the 65-69 (35.99), with Miek McCubbin placing sixth (40.28)

Fifth was the highest we could get in the 60-64 with Jeanne Little (34.99). Nancy Ridout was third in 55-59 (32.56), and Betty Bennett was sixth (34.37). Ann Page (31.99) and Cynthia Jones (32.20) were fifth and sixth in the 50-54, while Julie Wynn-Hoffman went home with a bronze in the 45-49 (31.09)

Kathy Garnier (29.12) and Cathy Shonkwiler (29.29) placed second and third in 40-44, with Charlotte Petersen being the youngest to medal with a second in the 35-39 (28.47).

Click Here to see the Results

100 BACK – MEN

Mark Vogel of Denmark and Nicolas Granger of France had a great battle for the fastest overall time swimming in the 30-34 final heat. Vogel came out just ahead (1:00.13-1:00.48)

Ray Taft started the medal count for the Americans with a gold in the 80-84 group (1:36.66). Paul Hutinger kept the streak going with a victory in the 75-79 and had a good supporting cast with John Truby (1:47.30) and James Edwards (1:47.86) finishing third and fourth.

Only Helmut Künzel 1:28.91) of Germany could stop the American 70-74 swimmers. Peter Van Dijk (1:30.51), Dale Webster (1:33.41), Thomas Smith (1:33.74), and Ken Kimball (1:37.05) placed 2-3-4-5.

Barr Clayson was third in the 65-59 (1:27.27). George Quigley was fifth in 60-64 (1:21.48).

Tim Birnie (1:09.27) and Peter Betzer (1:19.41) were book-ends, first and eighth, in the 55-59.

Tod Spieker (1:09.78) took down Terry Downes (1:10.13) of South Africa to win the 50-54, with Bill Barthold (1:11.10) fourth, and George Schmidt (1:11.33) fifth.

Fred Ferroggiaro (1:08.85) was third in 45-49, with Richard Brown (1:11.28) finishing eighth.

Bill Specht (1:04.04) was bested again by Dariusz Wolny (1:02.80) to place second, while Gerald Backer was the last American to medal, taking home fifth (1:08.20).

Click Here to see the Results

100 BACK – WOMEN

25-29 Start. Tiffany Forbes is at the bottom with the cleanest dive.

Laureen Welting swimming a strong race for 4th in 35-39

Alaskan Jens Beck is happy with is 2:23 200 Fly.

35-39 Start. Lane 4 led start to finish with a beautiful long stroke.

Tiffany Forbes swimming to a personal best in the 200 Fly

Joan Alexander of Walnut Creek getting a little too vertical near the end of her 200 Fly

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