Walshe Posts New Irish Record in Rome
Ellen Walshe claimed an outstanding gold medal in a new Irish Record in the 400m Individual Medley as she continued […]
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Ellen Walshe claimed an outstanding gold medal in a new Irish Record in the 400m Individual Medley as she continued her preparations for Paris. Walshe, competing against World and Olympic medallists in the A Final, had set the standard at 4:37.94 just three weeks ago at the Irish Open and Olympic Trials. On Saturday, the Templeogue swimmer powered home in 4:37.18 having led throughout the race.
Speaking after the race Walshe said ‘I’m delighted with that swim, it’s a great race before going into Paris, it gives me a lot of confidence. I think coming in tonight I was against the best in the world, the top three athletes, so I knew I was going to have to be pretty quick through the front end. The backstroke is my weakest stroke, so I was just trying to stay on the lane line with the sun in my eyes. I’m really surprised with that time. I knew going out in front of the field I was going to put myself in a difficult position to finish it, I think I just used my skills on the back end, my underwaters and I was able to get in front of the field, so yeah I’m delighted with it.’
Daniel Wiffen, who is just off a training camp in Turkey and in the midst of heavy training as he prepares for Paris was third in the 800m Freestyle in 7:46.83.
The European record holder in the event spoke after the final ‘I’m actually happy with that time, I think I did a good race strategy, to be fair on any other day I might have won, but we don’t know who’s tapered and who’s not here, so I’m pretty happy with the time and happy I got a medal.’
Both Walshe and Wiffen return to the pool on Sunday for the final day of racing in Rome. Walshe will compete in the 200m Individual Medley heats while Wiffen swims the 1500m Freestyle with the fastest heat going in the evening session. Max McCusker, who made the 100m Butterfly A Final on Friday, swims the 50m Butterly, Erin Riordan will be in the 50m Freestyle Heats and Victoria Catterson competes in the 200m Backstroke.
Day 2 Results – Sette Colli International
Women 100m Butterfly Ellen Walshe – 59.40 (8) Q
Women 400m IM Ellen Walshe – 4.44.95 (5) Q, F 4:37.18 (1st) ISR
Women 100m Freestyle Erin Riordan – 57.80 (63)
Victoria Catterson – 56.50 (35)
Men 50m Breaststroke Darragh Greene – 28.15 (12) Q
Men 800m Freestyle Daniel Wiffen – 7:46.83 (3rd)
Day 3 Schedule – Sette Colli International
Women 50m Freestyle Erin Riordan
Women 200m Backstroke Victoria Catterson
Men 50m Butterfly Max McCusker
Women 200m IM Ellen Walshe
Men 1500m Freestyle Daniel Wiffen
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