Six Athletes Progress at European Championships
Irish swimmers and divers continued to put on a show in Belgrade with all six athletes in action advancing through from the morning rounds.
Newly crowned European Danielle Hill parked the emotion of last night and returned to the pool to compete in the 100m Backstroke heat. The Larne swimmer, who reserved a ticket to Paris just under a month ago in this event, showed she was fully focused on the task in hand this morning posting 1:00.62 to move through the round as the fastest seed.
Speaking after this morning’s heat, Hill said: “I’m really happy, my mission coming into today was could I park the emotion of last night, get back in this morning and be on it again. That swim is impressive especially with the emotion of last night.”
Speaking on the aims heading into this event, Hill added: “When I get to Paris, it will be a case of can I make it to the next round, I’m learning how to swim in the morning and go through the processes. The process for Paris will be can I make it through the next round, and we go from there. I’m really happy with that and we look forward to tonight.”
Lottie Cullen, swimming her favoured event, will join Hill tonight in the 100m Backstroke semi-final after she posted 1:02.54 placing tenth. Cullen will swim her third semi-final this week on her maiden appearance donning the Irish cap.
Following her heat swim, Cullen said: “I’m feeling good, it was a good morning swim for me, I’m excited to be back tonight and hopefully go faster. I just want to try be out fast, the first 50 is important, as usually in the morning I’m a bit slower down the first length so it’s important that I lift my rate and catch water.”
Jack Cassin made his first individual appearance at a senior international meet in the 200m Butterfly heat. The National Centre (Limerick) swimmer came home in a personal best of 1:59.05 to qualify for the semi-final in 14th.
Cassin said: “I’m super happy, I didn’t get the opportunity to swim yesterday (due to illness). It’s a personal best for me, I didn’t necessarily do what I wanted to do at Trials (in May), so I’m happy for another opportunity to show who I am.”
Cassin added: “It’s been such a good opportunity for me, I’m racing against people from all over Europe. I feel so fortunate to be part of this team, I have such a good support system around me and I think that is a reason why I was able to recover so quickly and show who I am this morning.”
Ellie McCartney continued to impress as she came through the 200m Individual Medley heat in a time of 2:16.66 to advance to the semi-final. McCartney will head to the blocks twice in quick succession this evening for both the 200m Breaststroke Final and 200m Medley Semi-Final.
Speaking in the mixed-zone, McCartney said: “I feel good, this morning was just a case of getting the job done and making sure I didn’t exert too much energy as I’ve got the 200 Breast final and 200 Medley semi, it turned out to be one of my fastest heat swims, so I’m happy enough.
The aim is to get better through the rounds, it will be tough doing both but it’s about now getting into the cool down pool and doing all the right recovery strategies to give myself the best chance tonight.”
Nathan Wiffen brought morning five to a close with a strong performance in the 1500 Freestyle heat in 15:10.01, qualifying for the Final tomorrow evening. Wiffen, alongside Hungarian Zalan Sarkany, dominated the heat to secure a place in the final a full 21.93 seconds ahead of his next competitor.
Wiffen said: “The pool water has cooled down, which is good. I seem to have recovered well from my 800 Final and I’m looking forward to the final tomorrow.”
In Diving, Clare Cryan secured a spot in her second final of this championships this morning. Cryan scored 239.75 to place sixth in the 3m Springboard. Her best dive coming in the fourth round with 55.50 points.
The 3m Springboard final will get underway today at 4.15pm (IRL).
Day 5 Morning Results – European Aquatics Championships
Women 100 Backstroke
Danielle Hill – 1:00.62 (1) Q, Lottie Cullen – 1:02.54 (10), Q
Men 200 Butterfly
Jack Cassin – 1.59.04 (14), Q
Women 200 Medley
Ellie McCartney – 2:16.66 (6), Q
Men 1500 Freestyle
Nathan Wiffen – 15:10.01 (4), Q
Women 3M Springboard
Clare Cryan – 239.75 (5th), Q
Day 5 Evening Schedule – European Aquatics Championships
Women 3m Springboard Final
Clare Cryan (4:15pm)
Women 200 Breaststroke Final
Ellie McCartney (5:43pm)
Women 100 Backstroke SF
Danielle Hill, Lottie Cullen (5:50pm)
Men 200 Butterfly SF
Jack Cassin (6:32pm)
Women 200 Medley SF
Ellie McCartney (6:37pm)
Men 50m Backstroke Final
Conor Ferguson (6:54pm)
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