FLASH! Regan Smith Equals Personal World File in 100 Backstroke at World Cup
When Regan Smith raced to a world file of 54.02 within the 100-meter backstroke eventually 12 months’s World Brief Course Championships in Budapest, there have been expectations for a career-best efficiency. On Saturday evening, Smith wasn’t anticipating to go as quick as she did in Hungary, however that state of affairs certainly unfolded as Smith once more went 54.02 over 4 laps of short-course backstroke.
Competing on the Westmont cease of the World Cup collection, Smith was very good within the Chicago suburbs, incomes a victory of greater than a second over Australian Kaylee McKeown. Smith entered the race merely seeking to garner as many factors as doable within the chase to be the World Cup’s high performer. The Crew USA veteran clearly earned these factors, and bought rather more.
After splitting 12.98 on the opening size, Smith stared at a .22 deficit to McKeown, the reigning Olympic champion in each backstroke occasions. However Smith moved in entrance by the halfway level of the race, 26.45 to 26.65, and the U.S. standout was in management to the end. Smith cut up 13.81 on the third lap and closed in 13.76 to tie her world file. McKeown was the runnerup in 55.04.
“That wasn’t on my radar, clearly,” Smith informed World Aquatics. “I didn’t really feel like I had numerous velocity coming into this World Cup Collection as a result of (coaches) Bob (Bowman) and Erik (Posegay) have actually been hammering us this season. I don’t know, that felt like an amazing race. I didn’t die coming house like I generally can within the 100 backstroke. I hit all my turns rather well. I used to be pleased with my underwaters. I touched the wall and was like, ‘Oh, wow, that’s actually superior.’”
Smith was coming off an American-record efficiency within the 200 butterfly on Friday evening and she or he’ll sort out the 200 backstroke on Sunday, the place she’ll once more face off with McKeown.
