Ellen Walshe Claims Two Titles In 15 Minutes On Opening Day Of Flanders Swimming Cup

Ellen Walshe of Ireland competes in rde 200m Individual Medley Women Heats during rde 20rd World Aquatics Championships at rde Marine Messe Hall A in Fukuoka (Japan), July 23rd, 2023.

Ellen Walshe: Photo Courtesy: Andrea Masini / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto

Ellen Walshe Claims Two Titles In 15 Minutes On Opening Day Of Flanders Swimming Cup

Ellen Walshe claimed two titles in the space of 15 minutes on the opening day of the Flanders Swimming Cup 2024.

The Swim Ireland athlete led throughout to win the 100 fly in 1:00.57 but had time only to dust herself down before returning to the Olympic Swimming Centre Wezenberg Antwerp for the 200IM.

Third after the fly, a 33.32 backstroke leg propelled her to the head of the field where she remained to take the touch in 2:13.47.

Ellie McCartney (2:15.79) and Grace Davison (2:17.91) were second and third respectively as Swim Ireland enjoyed a clean sweep of the podium.

Victoria Catterson: Photo Courtesy: Swim Ireland

Walshe and Davison then returned for the final event of the evening with the former leading off the Irish women’s 4×100 free quartet for victory in 3:48.73.

That followed the men’s victory in the medley relay in 3:49.07 as Swim Ireland clinched 11 medals on the opening day, nine of them won by women.

Jacob Whittle was a clear winner in the men’s 50 free in 22.73, the only man inside 23secs with Thomas Thijs beating Brandon van den Berg to second by 0.01 in 23.08 to 23.09.

Lucas Matzerath led from start to finish to win the men’s 100m breaststroke.

The German – who was fifth at last year’s World Championships – was 0.36 ahead of Bram Zwetsloot at the turn before extending his lead to enjoy a winning margin of 1.54secs in 1:00.62.

Zwetsloot (1:02.16) was joined on the podium by Netherlands teammate Steijn Louter who clocked 1:02.46.

Johnathan Adam and Cornelius Jahn were locked at 26.40 at the 100 back turn before the Briton pulled away to win in 54.34 to 54.91.

Cameron Brooker made it a Bath Performance Centre 1-3 in 55.10.

Lucas Matzerath of Germany celebrates after competing in the 100m Breaststroke Men Heats during the 20th World Aquatics Championships at the Marine Messe Hall A in Fukuoka (Japan), July 23rd, 2023. Lucas Matzerath placed 3rd.

Lucas Matzerath: Photo Courtesy: Andrea Staccioli / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto

Kieran Bird and Jeremy Bagshaw enjoyed a tussle in the men’s 400 free with the Briton leading until 300m when the Canadian took a 0.09 lead.

Bagshaw extended that to 0.35 at the final turn only for Bird to come past him with a 27.74 last 50 and stop the clock in 3:54.39 to 3:54.79.

Ed Mildred held a 0.30 lead over Jacob Peters at halfway in the 100 fly before holding off his fast-finishing teammate to win in 53.05 to 53.08.

Jack Cassin of Swim Ireland was third in 54.64.

Adela Piskorska – double champion at last year’s World University Games – won the 50 back in 28.17 with Lottie Cullen (28.88) and Maria Godden (29.16) making it two Swim Ireland athletes on the podium.

Victoria Catterson won the women’s 200 free from which Freya Anderson withdrew after heading the prelims.

The Irish swimmer touched in 2:01.60 with Lotte Vanhauwaert of Belgium next home in 2:01.99.

Fleur Vermeiren was the only woman inside 32secs in the 50m breaststroke, clocking 31.66 ahead of Hylcke de Beer and Niamh Coyne while Alisee Pisane clocked 16:41.24 for the 1500 free.

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