Olympic Trials Day 7 Finals: Regan Smith Claims Women’s 200 Backstroke; Bacon Second

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Olympic Trials Day 7 Finals: Regan Smith Claims Women’s 200 Backstroke

Once again, the Olympic Trials produces an elite race with three medal contenders in Paris – but only two can qualify.

The women’s 200 backstroke has been an event the U.S. has won a lot of medals in over the years. Sometimes the toughest part is getting there.

Friday’s Olympic Trials final saw American record holder Regan Smith and a fight for second which included Olympians Phoebe Bacon, Claire Curzan, Rhyan White, Katie Grimes and national teamer Isabelle Stadden.

Smith, who broke a world record in the 100 backstroke earlier this week and won the 200 butterfly, set the American record at 2:03.35 back in 2019.

Smith was out to an early lead at 29.16. At the 100, she led at 1:00.44 as Curzan and Bacon chased.

At the 150, it was 1:32.25 with Curzan just ahead of Bacon.

But Bacon used a late burst of speed in the last 20 meters to take second in 2:06.27.

Smith finished in 2:051.6. Bacon was at 2:06.27 just seven hundredths ahead of Curzan (2:06.34).

Kennedy Noble was fourth in 2:07.52, followed by White (2:07.64), Grimes (2:07.72), Stadden (2:08.77) and Teagan O’Dell (2:09.21) at the Olympic Trials.

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Kanga1

6 months ago

Interesting to see that the USA has 5 of the top 10 200m Backstrokers in the world this year. But its great from an Aussie point of view that Regan was nearly 2 seconds (4metres/5yards?) behind Kaylee’s recent time!