Colbert & Wood Lead Harris and Hope With Paris Tickets For All In 200 Solo & 4×200 Free Relay
Freya Colbert and Abbie Wood roared home in low 1:56s, inside the Paris 2024 Olympic cut for the 200m freestyle, at the helm of a first-four-home that also booked a berth at the Games for the 4x200m relay.
The race on day 1 of 6 at the British Championships and trials at the London Aquatics Centre went without Britain No1 Freya Anderson, who suffered a bout of glandular fever early this year and is at trials to train and cheer on her teammates. She will rely on the discretion of selectors as the season progresses and, all health issues being well, is a strong contender to be added to the relay.
The solo will depend on her form and the schedules of busy Colbert and Wood, who this evening raced stroke for stroke towards a 1:56.22 to 1:56.62 finish ahead of Medi Harris and Lucy Hope, on 1:58.10 and 1:58.81 respectively. The target time for the solo race was 1:56.85.
Speaking through Aquatics GB, Colbert, who claimed 400IM gold at the Doha world titles in February, said:
“I’m so happy with the result, this is obviously the way I wanted it to go – like I wasn’t racing to come fourth for the relay and I’m pleased to be British Champion even if I might not swim it in Paris. [On whether the 400m IM gold in Doha has changed perceptions on this event].
“The 200m Free is definitely one of the events I enjoy swimming a lot, especially racing with the girls and it is almost the slightly more fun of the two for me. The 400m IM in Doha added some confidence to me and to my confidence on the world stage but if anything it’s pushed me on to strive even higher.
“t’s nice to take that bit of pressure off selection, like I know I’ve kind of booked my ticket on the Eurostar with that Swim so it’s a great way to start the week.”
Freya Colbert – image courtesy of Aquatics GB
Paris Prospects For The 4x200m Relay
Wood praised Loughborough coach Dave Hemmings with the success of the top two and the progress in the relay ranks: “Dave has really pulled us together as a team. He’s made us all more confident and that’s probably why we did so well today because we just all pulled together. We really wanted it and we’ve been working for it.”
The relay, a growing force, has a very solid shot at a place in the Paris final, while the key podium contenders, Australia, China and the United States remain a league apart from the rest.
In other finals: Keanna MacInnes and Laura Stephens Gets Their Paris Pass To The Games On 2:07s
Trials Information:
- Results in full
- Link to entry list
- Selection policy
- Aquatics GB meet page
- Broadcast & streaming info
- The Vortex: Japanese Olympic trials
- The Cuts:
Challenge to Craig: go 2 months without using the word ‘helm’ or the words ‘burning deck’ in any article.
Hi Ed Plump, I promise to try, as long as you promise to ask the broadcasters at GB trials to avoid using “brilliant”, “amazing”, “astonishing”, “excellent” for a whole host of swims that are good and promising, hopeful and sometimes even at the helm as coaches go nuts on the burning deck 🙂