AUSTRALIAN TRIALS, Finals, Day One: Ariarne Titmus And Kaylee McKeown Rocket To the Top Of The World And Book Their Tickets To Paris
Paris-bound Australian golden girls Ariarne Titmus and Kaylee McKeown have tonight sent messages to the world “Bring it On” after rocketing to the top of the world rankings on a sizzling opening session of the Australian Trials in Brisbane.
Olympic champion and world record holder, Titmus missed her own 400m freestyle world record by just 0.06 – stopping the clock at 3:55.44 at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre.
A 1-2 PARIS PUNCH: Ariarne Titmus and Lani Pallister Photo Courtesy Wade Brennan (Wade’s Photos)
The 23-year-old, who has been unbeaten in five years, was under world record pace for 399 metres in an epic performance as she sets herself for what will be one of the most anticipated events of the Paris Games against former world record holders Summer McIntosh (CAN) and Katie Ledecky (USA).
Coach Dean Boxall sent his supercharge a text before the race, saying: “Arnie…you are free like bird!”
“It was a chance for me to practice a race plan to see how I’d go – it doesn’t matter what happens here it’s a matter of what happens in six weeks time,” said Titmus when asked about missing her own world record by 0.06.
“I’m just really happy now just to tick that box..and happy my parents are now going to Paris for no reason they are going o watch me…that’s a good feeling…!
“I knew as long I did my job tonight I’d be going to Paris and the pressure is now off as well”
Titmus said her time meant that she was on track but with an air of caution, saying: “I’m on track at the moment and you don’t know what other people can do since they raced.
“I know you can get a lot of work done in six weeks and I know it’s about all the girls in that final field..not just myself, Summer and Katie..the field in that 400m is incredibly deep, so everyone is going to be working hard, it’s not only going to be easy.”
And joining Titmus (St Peters Western, QLD; Coach: Dean Boxall) in the 400m will be 22-year-old Gold Coaster Lani Pallister (Griffith University, QLD; Coach Michael Bohl) who has realised her Olympic dream, finishing second in a time of 4:02.27 – joining her mother Janelle Pallister, who as Janelle Elford finished fifth in the 400m freestyle at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
There were emotional scenes on pool deck when Lani and mother Janelle along with her godmother, Olympic legend Dawn Fraser, welcomed their new Olympian to sport’s exclusive club.
MAGICAL MOMENT: Mother daughter Olymians Janelle Elford (2008) daughter Lani Pallister (2024) Photo Courtesy Wade Brennan (Wade’s Photos)
KISS FROM A LEGEND: Triple Olympic gold medallist Dawn Fraser has a kiss or her goddaughter Lani Pallister Photo Courtesy Wade Brennan (Wade’s Photos)
“Three years ago I was ready to quit, walk away from swimming and I didn’t think I would be here standing on the blocks, I’m so happy,” said a tearful Pallister, who has battled health and sickness to make her dream debut in Paris.
“I don’t want to cry on camera..it’s been huge….I have been thinking about three years ago all day to be honest.
“I really didn’t think I’d be here standing behind the blocks…so yeah going to my first Olympics…..with Arnie is going to be incredible and I’m just so grateful and to have Mum and Dawn inch my corner.”
And on her Mum Janelle?
“I tried to find her to give her and give her a hug before I started crying and I’m just so grateful to my Mum for bringing me all the way up through swimming and partnering with Bohly (Coach Michael Bohl) at the end of  2021..
“I’m so grateful for all that they’ve done for me..and can’t wait to continue the family legacy in Paris this year…”
And Janelle on Lani?
“It’s very exciting for her as she said…the last three years has been tough and three years ago she almost gave swimming away…so to see her tonight it’s just so extremely proud….I just wanted her to hit the wall second and get under qualifying…do that and you’ve got your ticket.”
The legendary Fraser saying: “I thought both swims from the girls were fantastic..We’ve got a great team going to Paris this year and I wish the team the very, very best and I’m very, very proud to be involved.”
While backstroking queen McKeown set a new Commonwealth and Australian All-Comers record of 2:06.63 – the third fastest time in history – and only 0.51 outside the 2015 world record held by Katinka Hosszu (HUN) at 2:06.12.
And flying into second and under the QT, Chandler Swim Club’s Ella Ramsay who clocked a personal best time of 2:09.32 – and like Lani Pallister, Ella joins her Olympian father Heath Ramsay (Sydney 2000, 200fly) as an Olympian.
TWO IMS: Kaylee McKeown and Ella Ramsay (below) Â Photo Courtesy Wade Brennan (Wade’s Photos)
Indeed the Aussie girls have sent a ‘shot across the bow’ of especially the US! With the proviso that US Trials are a week away. Be interesting to see how Ledecky (pronounced ‘Leh-Dets-Kee’) responds (can she?) To Titmus near WR.
Kaylee almost does it again! Only half a second off. The question is what will be the American come back?
Ah Elijah, your Winnington ways! Sam was a bit too Short!
But both of to Paris!!
So much for the sub-4:00 hype for Lani, and the Short-Winnington sub-3:40 hype. Unfortunately, a wasted 3:55 for Titmus who was sorely disappointed by no WR, knowing this was her best shot because she swims sub-standard in Europe.
LOL! You’re a bitter comedian mate!
Rather than peaking now this is just a preview of what’s in store at Paris.
Scared of being beaten again by a nation with only 27million? Rightly So!
We’re Twelve times smaller than ‘Murica’ yet we can best you!