World Championships, Day 5 Prelims (Women): Kate Douglass Through In Two; USA 11th In 4×200 Free
The fifth day of prelims got under way at the World Championships with the likes of Siobhan Haughey and Kate Douglass set to feature.
Women’s 100m Freestyle
Sarah Sjostrom was on the start lists but come the eighth prelim and the world record-holder was absent from lane four.
While Mollie O’Callaghan – winner of the 100/200 double at the 2023 World Championships – isn’t in Doha, silver and bronze medallists Haughey and Marrit Steenbergen took to the blocks on Thursday morning.
Shayna Jack, who finished seventh in the 200 free on Wednesday evening, led the way in the first seeded heat in 53.50 which proved to be the swiftest qualifying time.
Steenbergen went 53.66 to win the next heat with Haughey – fresh from her 200 free gold – heading the third prelim in 53.70.
Barbora Seemanova was fourth through in 53.97 with Douglass next in 54.12 before heading off for the 200 breaststroke prelims.
Women’s 200m Breaststroke
While 2023 world champion Tatjana Schoenmaker is absent, Douglass and Tes Schouten – silver and bronze medallists in Fukuoka – are both competing.
Douglass went 2:19.30 to lower Rebecca Soni’s American record in January, a mark that had stood since 2012, and is the clear favourite for the title.
She went clear in the final stages of the last heat to lead the way into the semis in 2:24.15 with Mona McSharry – winner of heat two – second through in 2:24.82.
Kotryna Teterevcova (2:25.09), Sydney Pickrem (2:25.18) and Schouten (2:25.90) were next through.
Douglass has already won titles in the 200IM and mixed medley relay in Doha and is well set to add to her collection.
4x200m Freestyle Relay
The absence of many established swimmers became apparent in the longest relay in the pool.
The USA have won the title on eight occasions and finished in the top two at the last 12 World Championships.
However, there’ll be no final for them in Doha after they finished sixth in the first prelim and 11th overall, clocking 8:01.97.
They have though qualified for Paris 2024 by virtue of silver in Fukuoka.
World bronze medallists China – with Li Bingjie on the final leg – head the field in 7:54.38 ahead of New Zealand, whose time of 7:54.97 lowered the national record of 7:55.92 that had stood since the 2012 Olympics in London.
Canada booked third spot for the final in 7:56.07 with Brazil (7:57.12), Hungary (7:57.46), Great Britain (7:58.18) and reigning champions Australia (7:58.19) also through.
Netherlands claimed the last spot in 7:58.63 although it required an anchor leg of 1:54.98 from Steenbergen to ensure they made it.
France, the Olympic hosts, were locked out in ninth in 7:59.27.
