Burmester through to world championship semi-finals
Tuesday 27 March 2007, 8:20PM
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Moss pre the 200 Fly Heat Credit:
Swimming NZ
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Moss Burmester is safely through to the semi-finals in the 200m butterfly on the third day of the FINA World Swimming Championships in Melbourne today.
Burmester clocked a solid 1:57.53 to qualify in 10th place for tonight’s semi-finals at the Rod Laver Arena, with world and Olympic champion Michael Phelps top qualifier. The North Shore swimmer was the only New Zealand to qualify on the third day of heats with clubmate Helen Norfolk breaking her second national record but was a fingertip from a spot in the semi-finals in the 200m freestyle.
Most Kiwi eyes were on Burmester who finished second in his heat, less than a second outside his New Zealand record. He went through in 56.16, eased a little in his third 50m but came home strongly in an excellent morning swim.
He will need to go under his New Zealand record of 1:56.64, set in winning the gold in Melbourne a year ago, if he is to advance to the final. Dunedin’s Andrew McMillan dipped under the two minute barrier for the first time clocking 1:59.98, the 24th fastest time to leap 32 places in the world rankings.
“It was a very good morning swim. Moss looked strong and comfortable,†head coach Jan Cameron said. “Moss was 13th last year so he is already ahead of that. Now he has to step up and do the job tonight. And it was a big breakthrough for Andrew and we will be calling Duncan Laing to share it with him. It’s a big milestone to break the two minutes.â€Â
Norfolk broke her own New Zealand record clocking 2:00.21 in a superb performance in the 200m freestyle. Going in to the event ranked 64th in the event, the unlucky Norfolk was only 26/100ths of a second from qualifying for the semi-finals, finishing 19th fastest overall. She was in the hunt when she turned at the 150m in 1:28.78 but faded just a little in the final 15m in what was another outstanding swim from the 25 year old. Her clubmate Melissa Ingram was outside her best finishing 39th fastest in the same event.
"It was a really courageous swim for Helen. She desperately wants to break the two minute mark and will have another opportunity in the relay. She swam so well and it was just in the final 15 metres that she faded.â€Â
Earlier North Shore’s inform teenager Glenn Snyders recorded another personal best effort finishing 27th fastest in the 50m breaststroke. He clocked 28.64 which saw his world ranking climb more than 30 places.
His clubmate Robert Voss also set a personal best clocking 8:13.78 in the 800m freestyle which was two and a half seconds inside his qualifying performance but not enough to advance.
New Zealand results, day 3 heats, FINA World Swimming Championships:
(time and overall placing in heats)
200m butterfly: Moss Burmester 1:57.53, 10th; Andrew McMillan 1:59.98, 24.
50m breaststroke: Glenn Snyders 28.64, 27.
200m freestyle: Helen Norfolk 2:00.21, 19 (NZ Record); Melissa Ingram 2:03.80, 39.
800m freestyle: Robert Voss 8:13.78.
For interviews contact: Mark Saunders, Team Manager, Tel 0061 437 078533
For further information: Ian Hepenstall, Sports Media NZ, Tel 0275 613181, E: ianhep@xtra.co.nz
Burmester clocked a solid 1:57.53 to qualify in 10th place for tonight’s semi-finals at the Rod Laver Arena, with world and Olympic champion Michael Phelps top qualifier. The North Shore swimmer was the only New Zealand to qualify on the third day of heats with clubmate Helen Norfolk breaking her second national record but was a fingertip from a spot in the semi-finals in the 200m freestyle.
Most Kiwi eyes were on Burmester who finished second in his heat, less than a second outside his New Zealand record. He went through in 56.16, eased a little in his third 50m but came home strongly in an excellent morning swim.
He will need to go under his New Zealand record of 1:56.64, set in winning the gold in Melbourne a year ago, if he is to advance to the final. Dunedin’s Andrew McMillan dipped under the two minute barrier for the first time clocking 1:59.98, the 24th fastest time to leap 32 places in the world rankings.
“It was a very good morning swim. Moss looked strong and comfortable,†head coach Jan Cameron said. “Moss was 13th last year so he is already ahead of that. Now he has to step up and do the job tonight. And it was a big breakthrough for Andrew and we will be calling Duncan Laing to share it with him. It’s a big milestone to break the two minutes.â€Â
Norfolk broke her own New Zealand record clocking 2:00.21 in a superb performance in the 200m freestyle. Going in to the event ranked 64th in the event, the unlucky Norfolk was only 26/100ths of a second from qualifying for the semi-finals, finishing 19th fastest overall. She was in the hunt when she turned at the 150m in 1:28.78 but faded just a little in the final 15m in what was another outstanding swim from the 25 year old. Her clubmate Melissa Ingram was outside her best finishing 39th fastest in the same event.
"It was a really courageous swim for Helen. She desperately wants to break the two minute mark and will have another opportunity in the relay. She swam so well and it was just in the final 15 metres that she faded.â€Â
Earlier North Shore’s inform teenager Glenn Snyders recorded another personal best effort finishing 27th fastest in the 50m breaststroke. He clocked 28.64 which saw his world ranking climb more than 30 places.
His clubmate Robert Voss also set a personal best clocking 8:13.78 in the 800m freestyle which was two and a half seconds inside his qualifying performance but not enough to advance.
New Zealand results, day 3 heats, FINA World Swimming Championships:
(time and overall placing in heats)
200m butterfly: Moss Burmester 1:57.53, 10th; Andrew McMillan 1:59.98, 24.
50m breaststroke: Glenn Snyders 28.64, 27.
200m freestyle: Helen Norfolk 2:00.21, 19 (NZ Record); Melissa Ingram 2:03.80, 39.
800m freestyle: Robert Voss 8:13.78.
For interviews contact: Mark Saunders, Team Manager, Tel 0061 437 078533
For further information: Ian Hepenstall, Sports Media NZ, Tel 0275 613181, E: ianhep@xtra.co.nz