the pullbuoy log
Wednesday, 31 July, 2002
CG day 2: Thorpe and Price lead the way
The start of the session was delayed by 15 minutes tonight, but all that did was give the crowd even more time to work themselves into even more of a frenzy as the atmosphere turned electric. The sense of anticipation as they waited for another 5 titles to be decided was incredible, and the crowd were not disappointed with the swimming on offer.
[more]
Posted by Steve @ 09:01 PM BST [Link]
Reilly DQ - clerical error to blame?
Pullbuoy has learnt that a clerical error had a massive bearing on the disqualification and subsequent reinstatement of Jennifer Reilly from the 200IM final. It appears that Reilly may have committed an infringement on the breastroke to freestyle turn, but the judge wrote down the incorrect lane number to record the disqualification. Following the appeal by the Australian team, the error was discovered and Reilly given back her silver medal placing. Consequently the original result now stands, with Kirsty Coventry taking gold, Reilly the silver and Marianne Limpert the bronze. It appears that Liz Warden of Canada may have to hand back her bronze medal.
Posted by Steve @ 06:32 PM BST [Link]
First controversy at Manchester Games
As reported on the Pullbuoy Log yesterday, the Australian Team appealed against the disqualification of Jennifer Reilly from the women's 200IM final, a race in which she had originally finished in silver medal position. Reilly was disqualified for a non simultaneous touch on the butterfly to backstroke turn, but looked aghast at he end of the race when she saw the DQ. The appeal has been upheld by the meet referee and Reilly will be reinstated to the silver medal position, leaving Canada's Marianne Limpert with the Bronze and Liz Warden with nothing. This may cause the organisers some difficulty as the presentations have already been made. Whether the Canadian team, will launch a counter protest remains to be seen.
Posted by Steve @ 10:00 AM BST [Link]
Tuesday, 30 July, 2002
CG day 1: Pickering and Legg start the party
The Manchester Aquatic centre was a cauldron of noise tonight before the swimming had even started, for which the meet organisers must take credit having really wound up the crowd, but the first final of these games almost took the roof off the pool. [more]
Posted by Steve @ 08:47 PM BST [Link]
Commonwealth Games Results
Almost live Results for the swimming events in Manchester are available on the Offical Commonwealth Games site. This also has start lists for all of the events for the week.
Posted by Steve @ 11:20 AM BST [Link]
Monday, 29 July, 2002
2002 European Championships
Although the focus for most British Swimming fans this week will be events in Manchester, you can keep tabs on what is happening at the Euopean Championships in Berlin (29 July to 4 August) via Omega Live Timing or on Eurosport (typically 0800 BST heats and 1515 BST finals, check listings for details, particularly at the weekend)
Posted by Steve @ 03:46 PM BST [Link]
Commonwealth Games Build Up
The teams have been training in the Manchester Aquatic Centre pool for the past few days, with the exception of the Australians who only arrived yesterday and Scots who will reach Manchester today. By all accounts the England team are looking good and are raring to go. They unsurprisingly can't wait for the competition to start. Unfortunately Owen Morgan has had to withdraw form the Wales team. The circumstances are as yet unknown.
Posted by Steve @ 09:34 AM BST [Link]
Saturday, 27 July, 2002
Commonwealth Games Schedule
Wnat to knwo what's on when? The BBC have the most detailed guide available, with timings for every single race at:BBC SPORT | Commonwealth Games 2002 | Aquatics Schedule
Posted by Steve @ 12:28 PM BST [Link]
Tuesday, 23 July, 2002
England Team event selection for Commonwealth Games
Been wondering what everyone's going to swim in Manchester? The speculation is now over as the ASA have announced the final event entries for the English team:Final List of Events for the Swimming Team
Posted by Steve @ 09:45 PM BST [Link]
Summer Tour - changes to squad
As yet Unconfirmed reports that Nicola Jackson has pulled out of the GB squad for the summer tour 2002 are circulating. The causes of such a withdrawal, if it has taken place, are unclear. The ASA have confirmed to pullbuoy that the list published may still be subject to changes, however. More as we get it.
Posted by Steve @ 05:53 PM BST [Link]
Monday, 22 July, 2002
National Age Groups Championships revised
The ASA have made major changes to the programme for this year's National Age Groups Championships, as a result of higher than expected entry numbers.
National Age Groups revised programme (PDF)Posted by Steve @ 01:02 PM BST [Link]
Robin Francis - Why he withdrew.
More information has emerged regarding the withdrawal of Robin Francis from the Commonwealth games. pullbuoy has learnt that his training and general wellbeing have not been good since the national training camp in Australia earlier this year. Since that camp Robin has apparently been feeling permanently tired and lethargic.
His doctor says he cannot be fit within the next 3 weeks, hence the withdrawal from the Manchester games. Robin has been out of the water for a week to begin the recuperation process, which will take a few weeks, with the ultimate aim of getting back into shape for the World Championships in Barcelona next year.
Posted by Steve @ 08:12 AM BST [Link]
Saturday, 20 July, 2002
James Hickman's personal site
James Hickman has relaunched his personal website containing all sorts of info about him: JamesHickman.com
Posted by Steve @ 06:52 PM BST [Link]
Thursday, 18 July, 2002
Robin Francis Update
The ASA have confirmed the news reported on the pullbuoy log yesterday, by issuing the following statement:
Twenty-year-old Robin Francis, selected to swim for England in next week's Commonwealth Games in Manchester, has been forced to withdraw from Team England.
After consultation with his doctor, the Bath swimmer has been diagnosed as suffering from fatigue and will be unable to compete in the Games.
The England Swim Team, currently at their training camp at Loughborough University in preparation for the Games, will arrive in Manchester on 25th July.
Amateur Swimming Association Statement
Posted by Steve @ 11:54 AM BST [Link]
Wednesday, 17 July, 2002
Robin Francis Withdraws from Commonwealth Games
News is emerging that Robin Francis has withdrawn from the England Commonwealth Games team due to fitness / health problems. Details are sketchy, but more as it is announced.
Posted by Steve @ 03:17 PM BST [Link]
BBC Commonwealth Games Swimming Site
Ignore the mistakes and the lack of differentiation between short and long course competiton - the BBC Commonwealth Games swimming site is a mine of useful an interesting information, profiles and previews for the Manchester aquatic programme
BBC SPORT | Commonwealth Games 2002 | Swimming
Posted by Steve @ 01:47 PM BST [Link]
Australian NPD criticises Manchester pool
Ian Thorpe's biggest rival is usually the clock but Australia's new high-performance director Greg Hodge issued a word of caution for anyone expecting him to add to his list of world records.
Hodge said he thought the set-up at the Manchester Aquatics Centre would hinder chances of super-fast times. "The pool is not designed as a major international competition pool in terms of its space and environment," Hodge commented "There's a lot of stair-climbing and walking that the athletes have to do.
"For Ian Thorpe or anybody else to break a world record, things have got to be absolutely perfect but the operation of this meet is going to be far from perfect."
Posted by Steve @ 08:55 AM BST [Link]
Tuesday, 16 July, 2002
Canadian Commonwealth Games Team Changes - Again!
Following yet more legal arguments, claims and counterclaims, the Canadian team has been changed again! Nadine Rolland has been added to the team and Doug Wake now loses out on his place.SNC Announcement
Posted by Steve @ 02:07 PM BST [Link]
Sunday, 14 July, 2002
European Junior Championships - Day 4
Al in all an encouraging 4 days for the British team in Linz as the final day of competition drew to a close. A significant improvement on last years medal tally was achieved with Kate Haywood's gold in the 50m breastroke the highlight, but she will, unfortunately, not be please with her 100m final swim. [more]
Posted by Steve @ 05:16 PM BST [Link]
European Junior Championships - Day 3
No medals for Britain's juniors on the third day of competition in Austria, but all eyes were on Kate Haywood, who produced a stunning swim in the semi finals of the 100 breastroke. [more]
Posted by Steve @ 05:05 PM BST [Link]
European Junior Championships - Day 2
A great performance form the British Juniors on the second day of finals at the Linz pool, as the team recorded 4 medals. Already at the halfway stage of this year's championships, they have more than doubled their haul from last year's competition.
[more]Posted by Steve @ 04:07 PM BST [Link]
Friday, 12 July, 2002
European Junior Champs - Day 2 Heats
Britain has several stroing medal hopes following the heats session on the second day of competition, with 3 individual and a team swim to come in the finals. [more]
Posted by Steve @ 01:13 PM BST [Link]
European Junior Champs - Day 1
An encouraging showing on the first day of the European Junior Championships in Linz, Austria, with British swimmers making 6 final swims in the first 10 Events and winning two medals [more]
Posted by Steve @ 08:22 AM BST [Link]
Wednesday, 10 July, 2002
British Short Course Championships
Entry forms for the Brtiish Short Course Championships in Cambridge this Septmeber are now available for download from the ASA site. This includes the programme of events, which mirrors the LEN programme for the European Short Course Championships.
Short Course Entry Form (PDF)Posted by Steve @ 01:38 PM BST [Link]
European Junior Champs - Linz, Austria
The European Junior Championships take place this week, running from 11th to 14th July in Linz, Austria. The impressive official site carries all of the start lists and will show results for the event.
Top Medal hopes for Britain will be David Davies (Cardiff), Julia Preston (Leeds) Kerri-Anne Payne (Aquabears) and Kate Haywood (Lincoln Vulcans) who will be using the event as a warm up for the Commonwealth Games. Undoubtedly a lot of eyes will also be on Nicola Jackson's younger sister Joanne, who is ranked 2nd in the 200 fly
European Junior Swimming Championships - Linz 2002 - Offial site
Posted by Steve @ 01:16 PM BST [Link]
Tuesday, 9 July, 2002
Igelstrom Smashes European Record in 100m Breast
On the final day of competition of the Swedish Nationals at the southern coastal Swedish city of Landskrona, Igelstrom destroyed the Swedish and European record in the 100m breaststroke with a brilliant 1:07.27.
The time is the fastest in the world this year, vaulting her past Australia's Leisel Jones, the Olympic and World Championship silver medalist, who had led at 1:07.31. It also puts her in a tie with Japan's Masami Tanaka as the fourth fastest woman in this event in history.
Lane 9 News Archive: Igelstrom Smashes European Record in 100m Breast
Posted by Steve @ 09:25 AM BST [Link]
Friday, 5 July, 2002
Final Canadian Team Announced
Swimming Natation Canada have at last finalised the team they will be sending to Manchester, following appeals and counter appeals by swimmers not originally selected. In the end, the team has reverted to that picked after the Canadian trials
“We recognize that the appeals may have been arduous for our athletes,” says Karen Spierkel,CEO, Swimming Canada “We worked diligently to ensure that due process was upheld with the full cooperation of all parties concerned. Let us all now focus on our Canadian athletes swimming their best at the Commonwealth Games and bringing home medals.”
SNC Press Release
Full Canadian Team ListPosted by Steve @ 08:44 AM BST [Link]
Wednesday, 3 July, 2002
Foster in "moment of tooth"
A bad pun maybe, but trouble with a wisdom tooth may force the Mark Foster to pull out of a tournament in Croatia which is important for his Commonwealth Games build-up. Foster was an "out of sight" winner yet again at the National Swimming Championships in Coventry, but he could be beaten this week -- by toothache. "I'm going to have to see what the dentist says," he commented. [more]
Posted by Steve @ 05:53 PM BST [Link]
Tuesday, 2 July, 2002
Near World Record for Coughlin
It looks certain that Natalie Coughlin (USA) will break the long course 100 backstroke world record of 1:00.16, the question is not 'if' but 'when'. She swam 1:00.19, the third fastest time ever - she already has the second fastest time to her credit - at the Santa Clara International meet.
Posted by Steve @ 09:17 AM BST [Link]
Monday, 1 July, 2002
Building Manchester Aquatics Centre
Ever wondered how the new Commonwealth pool was put together? The following article is quite technical, but includes some excellent photos of the new facility.