FINA World Swimming Championships Day 6 Wrap

An aggressive effort from national record holder Corney Swanepoel was not enough to earn a spot in the final at the FINA World Swimming Championships in Rome today.

Swanepoel, starting in the outside lane in the second semifinal, pushed hard over the first 50m, before fading in the final 10m to finish eighth.

He finished in 51.79, a tick outside his New Zealand record, in a stunning semifinal where winner Milorad Cavic (SRB) broke Michael Phelps’ world record, clocking 50.01s.

Swanepoel, knowing he would need to break the 51 second barrier, went for broke in a powerful and fast start, turning fourth in his race and the sixth fastest of all semifinalists in 23.82. He was in the hunt until the final 10m, finishing 7/10ths off the final qualifying spot.

“It was a solid effort from Corney,” said Swimming New Zealand head coach Jan Cameron. “He knew that he would have to break 51 seconds to get into the final and he absolutely went for it.

“He was on the pace and looked very good over the first 50. But he just could not finish it off. It was a messy finish, but it was certainly not a case of not trying. He gave it absolutely everything today.

“We just have to work on that final 10m now. Today was close but no cigar which was disappointing for Corney. But importantly now he has to rest and prepare for a big swim in the medley relay.”

Earlier he had finished as the 15th fastest qualifier in 51.71, just 1/10th of a second outside his New Zealand record.

In the morning heats his training mate Moss Burmester completed an unhappy championship, fractionally outside his best in 52.13 to miss out on the semifinal.

Teenager Daniel Bell is the only New Zealander in the pool in tomorrow’s penultimate day of competition in the 50m backstroke and then joins Swanepoel, Glenn Snyders and Cameron Gibson in the medley relay on the final day.

New Zealand results, day 6:
Semifinal 1: Michael Phelps (USA) 50.48, 1; Rafael Munoz (ESP) 50.59, 2; Jason Dunford (KEN) 50.78, 3.
Semifinal 2: Milorad Davic (SRB) 50.01, 1; Albert Subirats (VEN) 50.65, 2; Tyler McGill (USA) 51.07, 3. Also: Corney Swanepoel (NZL) 51.79, 8.
Heats: Corney Swanepoel 51.71, 15th; Moss Burmester 52.13, 28th.