Australian Long Course Championships: James Magnussen Surprises With World Best

SYDNEY, Australia, April 5. ANOTHER day, another top-ranked time in the world at the Australian Long Course Championships held in Sydney.

Unheralded James Magnussen shot to the top of the world rankings in the men's 100 free with a victorious time of 48.29, and left no doubt in the process as James Roberts touched well behind with a second-place 48.72. Magnussen eclipsed the previous world-best mark of 48.34 set by Fabien Gilot in France last month. Roberts moved up to eighth in the world rankings with his swim. Eamon Sullivan wound up taking this in 48.89, just off his semifinal time of 48.87. Matt Targett finished fourth in 48.91, missing his semi swim of 48.66.

Grace Loh jumped to third in the world rankings in the women's 50 back with a winning time of 28.15. Only Aleksandra Herasimenia (28.06) and Julia Wilkinson (28.13) have been faster this year. Sophie Edington took second in 28.20 for fourth in the rankings, while Belinda Hocking completed the top three in 28.33 for seventh in the rankings.

Jessicah Schipper nabbed the women's 200 fly crown in 2:07.78 for fourth in the world rankings. Stephanie Rice touched a close second in 2:07.87 to move into a sixth-ranked tie with Judit Ignacio, while Samantha Hamill earned third in 2:08.79.

Mitch Larkin topped the men's 200 IM finale in 1:59.42, taking fifth in the world rankings with the effort. Kenneth To placed second in 2:00.05, while Leith Brodie earned third in 2:00.15.

In semifinal action, Alicia Coutts led the women's 100 free qualifying with a 54.27 to move to sixth in the world rankings. Yolane Kukla, 15, qualified second in 54.49, while Bronte Barratt touched third in 54.72. Sally Foster paced the women's 200 breast with a 2:26.50 to take eighth in the rankings. Sarah Katsoulis (2:27.72) and Rebecca Kemp (2:27.82) qualified second and third with Leisel Jones electing to not compete in the event.

Craig Calder posted the top-seeded time in the men's 200 breast semis with a 2:14.29, while Brenton Rickard clocked a second-seeded 2:16.02. Ashley Delaney (1:59.97), Braiden Camm (2:01.04) and Larkin (2:01.13) grabbed the top three seeds in the men's 200 back.

In multi-disability events, Katrina Porter was listed first in the women's 50 back with a 40.63, while Michael Auprince was listed first in the men's 50 back with a 30.98.

Belilnda Parslow, Belinda Bennett, Zoe Johnson and Samantha Bennett won the women's 800 free relay title in 8:13.14.

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