Nico Sapio Trophy: Natalie Coughlin Posts Top-Ranked 100 Back Time; Doubles Up

GENOVA, Italy, November 1. USA's Natalie Coughlin began what looks to be a productive European swing spanning multiple meets in Italy this week. At the Nico Sapio Trophy meet today, Coughlin posted a top-ranked time while also breaking into the top 10 in another short course meter rankings for her second victory of the night.

Coughlin crushed the women's 100 backstroke with a time of 56.47. That swim cleared Missy Franklin's previously top-ranked time of 56.73 set at the Berlin stop of the World Cup circuit, and came within half-a-second of her American record of 56.08 from Dubai in 2010. Italy's Arianna Barbieri (59.83) and Roberta Ioppi (1:01.11) finished second and third.

Coughlin then claimed the women's 100 free title in 52.80 to move to seventh in the world rankings. Franklin leads the world with a 52.09 from Berlin, while Coughlin bypassed Allison Schmitt (53.07) as the second-fastest American this year. The Netherlands' Femke Heemskerk took second in 53.20, while USA's Kim Vandenberg touched third in 54.79.

USA's Nick Thoman jumped to second in the world rankings in the men's 100 back with a strong 51.44. That swim puts him behind Aschwin Wildeboer's 50.23 from the Berlin World Cup stop, but ahead of Cheng Feiyi's effort of 51.74 also from Berlin. Italy's Damiano Lestingi took second in 52.36, while USA's Randall Bal placed third in 52.39, even though representing a Brazilian club.

France's Camille Muffat clocked a 4:00.86 to win the women's 400 free and move to fifth in the world rankings. Heemskerk took second in 4:03.82, while Ioppi earned third in 4:08.69. France's Yannick Agnel captured the men's 400 free with a 3:42.95 for third in the world rankings. Italy's Alex Di Giorgio (3:45.03) and Rocco Potenza (3:45.29) placed second and third.

France's Fabien Gilot won the men's 100 free crown in 47.89, while compatriot Nabil Kebbab finished second in 49.05. USA's Cullen Jones rounded out the top three with a 49.16. USA's Josh Schneider also competed, with a 50.13 for eighth.

Vandenberg clinched the women's 100 fly crown with a 58.96, while Mufatt took second in 59.24. Italy's Beatrice Fassone earned third in 1:00.49. USA's Tim Phillips captured the men's 100 fly in 53.09. Italy's Stefano Pizzamiglio (53.75) and Paolo Facchinelli (54.22) took second and third.

Italy swept the podium in the women's 100 breast. Lisa Fissneider won in 1:07.14, while Michela Guzzetti (1:08.36) and Chiara Boggiatto (1:08.57) earned second and third. France's Giacomo Perez Dortona won the men's 100 breast in 59.74. Italy's Alessio Pinna (1:00.80) and Nicolo Ossola (1:00.84) placed second and third.

Italy claimed a second podium sweep in the women's 200 IM. Laura Letrari (2:13.14), Giulia De Ascentis (2:15.39) and Luisa Trombetti (2:17.24) placed 1-2-3 for the host nation. Results from the men's 200 IM finale were unavailable.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x