Fina World Cup 2002
December 6-8
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
David Pope, Federation Peak and Tigershark Underwater Camera, Reporting

PICTURES

The Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) hosted another round of FINA’s World Cup - 25m short course racing at its best and fastest - in front of a capacity crowd. Some of the world’s best swimmers were competing including :

• Thomas Ruprath (GER)
• Emma Igelstrom (SWE)
• Mark Foster (GBR)
• Lindsay Benko (USA)
• Chad Carvin (USA)
• Ian Thorpe (AUS)
• Grant Hackett (AUS)
• Matt Welsh (AUS)
• Elke Graham (AUS)
• Pieter van den Hoogenband (NED)
• Michael Klim (AUS) was out with shoulder injury

 

The program was fully featured and included 800m, and 1500m distance events. Day 1 saw Grant Hackett overcome Chad Carvin in the 400m free, with a time of 3:36.17.

van den Hoogenband & Thorpe after the 50 Free More Pictures from the meet

Day 2 featured an awaited clash between Olympic rivals Grant Hackett and Pieter van den Hoogenband. Pieter went out hard in the first 100m, and Hackett had do everything to keep up. But at 125m Hackett pulled out the fastest turn and moved a half body length in front. He repeated this at 175m and pulled further ahead finishing in 1:42.48 with Pieter coming in at 1:43.18. Good reason to practice your turns!

Day 3 featured an unusual but eagerly awaited clash between Ian Thorpe and Pieter van den Hoogenband - normally rivals in the 100m and 200m free. This time they were battling over 50m - the only event that Thorpe swam. In a blink of an eye, the gracious Hoogenband was the victor and the Thorpe was relegated to 5th spot. Elke Graham also won the 200 free.

Other amazing highlights were Emma Igelstrom winning the triple crown - 50m, 100m, 200m breastrokes - coach Ian Pope’s training must be working. The versatile Thomas Ruprath just happened to break the world record in the 100m backstroke heats! That’s World Cup for you. For more results and information visit Australian Swimming.