European Short Course Championships: Sara Curtis Speeds to Euro Record in 50 Backstroke
The sixth and final day of the European Short Course Championships in Lublin, Poland will be packed with action. There are 13 finals on the schedule, starting with the women’s and men’s 50 backstroke and concluding with the 200 medley relays. Already this week, the Netherlands’ Marrit Steenbergen has established European records in the 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 100 individual medley and 200 individual medley. What kind of highlights will punctuate the meet?
Here is an event-by-event recap of the Day Six finals:
Women’s 50 Backstroke
Italy’s Sara Curtis, home in Europe from her freshman year at the University of Virginia, stormed to the gold medal in the 50 backstroke with a European record. Curtis sped to a time of 25.49, which handed her a convincing triumph over France’s Analia Pigree (25.96). The bronze medal was secured by Dutchwoman Maaike De Waard, who recorded a mark of 25.97.
Men’s 50 Backstroke
By the slimmest of margins, Estonia’s Ralf Tribuntsov earned the European crown in the 50 backstroke. A 31-year-old, Tribuntsov turned in a performance of 22.68, which narrowly edged the 22.69 of Miroslav Knedla of the Czech Republic. Italy’s Francesco Lazzari rounded out the podium, going 22.76 for the bronze medal.
Women’s 50 Breaststroke
The gold medalist in the 100 breaststroke earlier in the meet, Eneli Jefimova (North Carolina State) added the 50 breaststroke title to her collection in commanding fashion. Jefimova made it back-to-back Estonian triumphs when she touched the wall in 28.81, which was well ahead of the 29.22 by Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte. Belgium’s Florine Gaspard grabbed the bronze medal in 29.34.
Men’s 50 Breaststroke
Italy took charge in the final of the 50 breaststroke as Simone Cerasuolo defeated another international field. The reigning world champion in the 50 breaststroke, Cerasuolo covered his two laps in 25.67 to claim the gold medal at the continental level. He was joined on the podium by countryman Nicolo Martinenghi, who registered a time of 25.86. Splitting the Italians for the silver medal was Turkey’s Emre Sakci (25.85), the world-record holder in the event.
Women’s 50 Freestyle
A consistent presence on the global sprint scene for years, Poland’s Kasia Wasick topped the field in the 50 freestyle to earn the first gold medal of her career at a European Championships. Wasick dialed up a swim of 23.20, which provided a cushion over France’s Beryl Gastaldello and Italy’s Sara Curtis, who shared the silver medal in 23.41. Curtis was coming off a gold medal in the 50 backstroke.
Men’s 50 Freestyle
A standout as Louisiana State University, Croatia’s Jere Hribar rallied from fourth place at the turn to win the 50 freestyle in 20.70. Hribar had the fastest back half of the race, which enabled him to claim the biggest victory of his career. As was the case in the women’s event, there was a tie for the silver medal. France’s Maxime Grousset and Ukraine’s Nikita Sheremet both touched in 20.81, with Sheremet bettered his world junior record of 20.84, set earlier in the meet in relay duty.
Women’s 200 Butterfly
One day after winning the silver medal in the 200 individual medley, Ireland’s Ellen Walshe moved up on the podium. Sixth at the halfway point, Walshe reeled in the field over the back half to prevail in the 200 butterfly in 2:03.24. She was followed in second place by Denmark’s Helena Bach, who notched a swim of 2:03.55. Taking the bronze medal was Italian Anita Gastaldi in 2:04.07.
Men’s 200 Butterfly
Switzerland’s Noe Ponti completed his medals sweep in the butterfly events. On the back of a victory in the 50 butterfly and a silver medal in the 100 fly, Ponti took top honors over the 200 distance. Ponti was the leader for the early portion of the race, but dropped to second place with one lap remaining. But Ponti rallied down the stretch and won in 1:50.17, with Poland’s Krzysztof Chmielewski finishing second in 1:50.24. Michal Chmielewski made it a twin showing on the podium by taking bronze in 1:50.30.
Women’s 1500 Freestyle
