Kaylee McKeown Chasing a Sweep – and a Little More – Following Day Three Prelims at World Cup
The last prelims session of the World Aquatics World Cup in Berlin featured a good deal of “just-advance swims,” but the evening finals are still set to be quick. Australian Kaylee McKeown will look to complete her sweep of the backstroke events while racing in the 200 back, where American teenager Katie Grimes took the top seed in 2:11.33. McKeown, too, will contest the 200 individual medley, where she is seeded first in 2:14.61.
A sensational battle is on tap in the women’s 100 freestyle, where Siobhan Haughey earned the No. 1 seed for the final in 53.61. Coming off a victory in the 200 freestyle, Haughey will chase the event title against challenges from Sarah Sjostrom and the Campbell sisters, Cate and Bronte.
On the men’s side, Qin Haiyang is a victory in the 200 breaststroke away from sweeping his specialty disciplines. Qin easily moved into the final, where Dutchman Arno Kamminga is seeded first in 2:11.33. Meanwhile, Japan’s Ryosuke Irie was quickest in the prelims of the 100 backstroke, going 54.67, but he’ll have Italian world-record holder Thomas Ceccon, who is in fine form, pressing the pace in the final.
Here’s a look at the top seeds heading into the last finals session in Berlin.
Women’s 100 Butterfly: Angelina Kohler – 57.34
Men’s 50 Butterfly: Isaac Cooper – 23.25
Women’s 200 Backstroke: Katie Grimes – 2:11.33
Men’s 100 Backstroke: Ryosuke Irie – 54.67
Women’s 50 Breaststroke: Eneli Jefimova – 30.23
Men’s 200 Breaststroke: Arno Kamminga – 2:11.01
Women’s 100 Freestyle: Siobhan Haughey – 53.61
Men’s 200 Freestyle: Danas Rapsys – 1:47.17
Women’s 200 IM: Kaylee McKeown – 2:14.61