Duel In The Pool

Friday 18th and Saturday 19th December 2009

SPEEDO STARS SHINE AT BRITISH GAS DUEL IN THE POOL

The British Gas Duel in the Pool opened tonight at a packed Manchester Aquatic Centre. The atmosphere was electric at the sell-out event that takes place over two days (Friday 18th December and Saturday 19th December) and sees the cream of swimming talent from the UK, Germany and Italy duel the USA for supremacy in the pool.

The biennial swimming event was opened by Speedo’s former World Champion (and now retired) swimming talent James Hickman. Energetic music amplified the expectant mood while a stunning light show traced the lanes of the pool and cheer leaders encouraged the crowd. A swim star studded procession followed with Dana Vollmer leading the USA team out to the poolside while Speedo sponsored Rebecca Addlington paved the way for the E-Stars.

The first race of the evening, the Women’s 400M Medley Relay saw Gemma Spofforth (E-Stars) hit the water first in her Speedo LZR Racer Elite suit. Despite the swimmer’s impressive lead on Margaret Hoelzer (USA) in the first lap the roles had quickly reversed by the third as Ilaria Bianchi (E-Stars) found herself a full body length behind the American swimmer Dana Vollmer. USA snatched the first place breaking a World Record with a time of 3:47.97.

The crowd’s anticipation was tangible as they waited to see the greatest swimmer of all time grace the water for the first time in the UK for the Men’s 400m Medley Relay. In a tense race Phelps hit the water a full body length ahead of Michael Rock (E-Stars) thanks to his team mate, Mark Gangloff’s previous efforts. The USA walked away with the second World Record of the evening with a time of 3:20.71.

On wining Michael said, “everything is a stepping stone to 2012.” And on whether he likes the British weather, ‘It’s cold – just like home in Baltimore!”

Julia Smit (USA) shaved 1.84 seconds off the World Record in the Women’s 400m Individual Medley to win the race with a time of 4:21.04. The swimmer fought fierce competition from team mate Dagny Knutson who challenged her throughout the race wearing a Speedo LZR Racer suit. Knutson finished with a time of 4:24.31.

In the Men’s 400m Individual Medley, the race belonged to Tyler Clary (USA) from the outset. Wearing his Speedo LZR Racer suit the American was first in the water ahead by a full body length and a half by the mid way point of the race taking home first place for the USA with a time of 4:02.02.

Francesca Halsall of the GBR Speedo sponsored team, took first for the E-Stars in the Women’s 100m Freestyle with a time of 51.54. Halsall who is from Manchester said. “I’m so happy to be swimming in front of my home crowd!”

The Women’s 200m Backstroke saw a battle between Margaret Hoelzer (USA) and the E-Stars Elizabeth Simmons. Wearing her Speedo LZR Racer suit the American was on Elizabeth’s tail throughout the race but the British swimmer stole victory with a time of 2:00.91.

The E-Stars’ Francesca Halsall swam to another triumphant result in the Women’s 100m Butterfly. USA’s Christine Magnuson wearing a Speedo LZR Racer suit, lead from the start but the British swimmer quickly picked up the pace to take first with a time of 55.71. On her second win of the night and whether performing in front of a home crowd helps Halsall said, ”It was a bit of a shock. Yes, I guess it does! I can’t wait for 2012 now.”

Wearing his Speedo LZR Racer Elite suit all eyes were on Michael Phelps for the Men’s 100m Butterfly. The most decorated swimmer in history stole first place from Benjamin Starke of the E-Stars in the most nail-biting race of the night with a time of 50.46.

The Women’s 400m Freestyle saw second (E-Stars) and third (USA) places go to Rebecca Adlington who was wearing her new generation Speedo LZR Racer Elite suit, and Dagny Knutson, who was wearing the original Speedo LZR Racer suit.

In an exciting culmination to the evening and a fitting finale for Speedo Peter Vanderkaay took first place with a time of 3:35.54 in the Men’s 400m Freestyle wearing his Speedo LZR Racer suit.

Following an exciting night of swimming at the British Gas Duel in the Pool the points stand at 89 for the USA and 33 for the E-Stars – can the Europeans make up the difference tomorrow? Watch this space!