Night five of the South African Nationals brought a few more Olympic berths as the top four in the men’s 100 freestyle earned relay spot in London but also left South Africa without an A cut during the finals. Yesterday Gideon Louw blazed to a 48.74 in the semifinals to get under the FINA A standard of 48.82. While Louw touched first in the finals he was well off that time in 49.23. According to the swimming federation the athletes must achieve the A cut during the finals at nationals to earn a trip in the individual event so currently Louw will look to lead the 400 free relay which has already wrapped up its berth based on the team’s showing from last year’s world championships.
Right behind Louw was Olympic veteran Roland Schoeman (49.25) who will be heading to the Games for the third time. The gold medalist from Athens won’t be swimming the individual 100 in London but looks to contribute to the relay effort. Taking third and fourth were Darian Townsend (49.30) and Graeme Moore (49.56).
In the only races of the night to produce Olympic Qualifying Standards it was Chad Le Clos who touched first in the semifinals of the men’s 200 IM. Le Clos has been on fire all week and continues to build his Olympic program as he will go for another win tomorrow night. His time of 1:58.87 was good enough for 9th in the world this year. Also under the OQT was Darian Townsend in 1:59.98. Townsend has been much faster this year when he posted a 1:59.28 at the Indianapolis Grand Prix so he will look to better that in the finals. Also lurking is Sebastien Rousseau who touched in 2:00.41. That falls just a bit shy of the standard of 2:00.17 but with another chance tomorrow this looks to be a battle between the top three.
On the women’s side it was Suzaan van BIljon who touched a full second under the standard in the semis of the 200 breaststroke. Van Biljon’s time of 2:25.89 moves her to 15th in the world this season. She will need another strong swim tomorrow night to secure her spot on the team.
Neil Versfeld once again fell shy of the mark needed to get to London as he won the 200 breaststroke in 2:12.73 just less than a full second off the OQT mark of 2:11.74. His time does meet the B standard which means that the federation can nominate his swim for consideration.
In the lone women’s final of the evening it was Mandy Loots the three-time Olympian who touched first in the 200 fly. Her time of 2:12.49 fails to reach the 2:08.95 needed to automatically qualify her for London but as a B standard she could still potentially make her fourth Olympic team.
Karin Prinsloo topped the field in the semifinals of the women’s 100 free with a time of 55.63 while Lehesta Kemp was second at 56.84. The ladies will need to be quicker tomorrow night for a shot at the A cut of 54.57.
The 200 backstroke could also be a great race tomorrow night at Charl Crous and Darren Murray was within .08 of each other during the semifinals. Crous takes the top spot with a 2:00.10 while Murray hangs with him at 2:00.18. Both need to reach 1:58.48 for a guaranteed trip to London.