Netanya 2015 LEN European SC Championships – Day 5

Three medals for Sjostrom, Cseh cracks another ER, Carlin out-touches Hosszu

Thrilling end to an outstanding event: Sarah Sjostrom (SWE) captured three medals in a single session, Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) had two golds, Laszlo Cseh brought down his second European record in three days and it was Jazmin Carlin (GBR) who could finally beat the meet’s top performer Katinka Hosszu (HUN), even if by a fingernail. Still, thanks to Hosszu’s end Cseh’s outstanding swims, Hungary finished its best ever medal tally (11-3-1), topping the table.

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HOSSZU Katinka HUN PALTRINIERI Gregorio ITA Best Athlete of the Championship Netanya, Israel, Wingate Institute LEN European Short Course Swimming Championships Dec. 2 – 6, 2015 Day05 Dec.06 Nuoto Campionati Europei di nuoto in vasca corta Photo Giorgio Scala/Deepbluemedia/Insidefoto

SJOESTROEM Sarah SWE Gold Medal CR OTTESEN Jeanette DEN Silver Medal WENK Alexandra GER Bronze Medal 100m Butterfly Women Final Netanya, Israel, Wingate Institute LEN European Short Course Swimming Championships Dec. 2 – 6, 2015 Day05 Dec.06 Nuoto Campionati Europei di nuoto in vasca corta Photo Giorgio Scala/Deepbluemedia/Insidefoto

HOSSZU Katinka HUN silver medal, CARLIN Jazmin GBR gold medal Women’s 400m freestyle final Netanya, Israel, Wingate Institute LEN European Short Course Swimming Championships Dec. 2 – 6, 2015 Day 05 Dec.06 Nuoto Campionati Europei di nuoto in vasca corta Photo Giorgio Perottino/Deepbluemedia/Insidefoto

Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom earned a meet high single-day tally of three medals on Day 5: she came first in the 100m fly, got silver in the 50m free and in the 4x50m medley relay. In the latter two events Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) captured two golds, the second one as the member of the Dutch relay.

After sweeping six titles in as many events, Katinka Hosszu faced her toughest fight in the 400m free and finally she had to settle for the silver. She was in the lead for the most of the race, even with a metre to go, but Jazmin Carlin (GBR) – winner of the 800m here – out-touched her at the wall by 0.03sec. Still, Hosszu was by far the most successful swimmer of the meet with seven medals (6 gold and a silver) and her WR in the 400m IM also brought her the top prize of € 20,000 as the best individual female performer based on the FINA points. (Gregorio Paltrinieri earned this prize among the men.)

Compatriot Laszlo Cseh completed his hat-trick, becoming the most decorated male in Netanya with three gold medals. Cseh had a shot at the WR on Sunday in the 200m fly but finally could ‘only’ beat the ER (1:49.00). It was his second continental record, and he just did the same as in the 200m IM: bettered a mark set in shiny suit in 2009.

Commanding wins were witnessed in the women’s 200m breast (Fanny Lecluyse, BEL), the men’s 100m free (Marco Orsi, ITA) and in the men’s 100m IM (Sergei Fesikov, RUS). Poland’s Thomas Polewka caused a minor upset by winning the 50m back.

In the session ending men’s 4x50m medley relay the Italians secured their second place on the medal table, as well as won their 4th relay title in 6 events – and they also could lift the Championship Trophy as the best team of the event.

Press release from LEN

Photos courtesy of Deepbluemedia/Giorgio Scala