Marrit Steenbergen Doubles at Bergen Swim Festival; Outduels Siobhan Haughey in 100 Freestyle
The first event of the Day Two finals at the Bergen Swim Festival provided immediate fireworks, as Dutchwoman Marrit Steenbergen and Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey engaged in a stellar duel in the 100-meter freestyle. Ultimately, Steenbergen got the edge on Haughey, as she prevailed in a season-best performance of 52.33. Haughey was just behind in 52.40, the second-fastest mark of the 2026 campaign.
Haughey built a slight advantage during the opening length, as she made the turn in 25.31, with Steenbergen splitting 25.49 for the front half of the race. But down the stretch, Steenbergen narrowly pulled ahead, on the strength of a closing leg of 26.84. Haughey put together a 27.09 split for her last 50 meters. Steenbergen was just .07 off her career best, the Dutch record of 52.26 she recorded en route to gold at the 2024 World Championships in Doha.
The Dutch star was also the world champion in the 100 freestyle last summer in Singapore, and continues to build momentum in the event on the road to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. She has medaled in the 100 freestyle at the last three editions of the World Champs, a bronze in the event grabbed in 2023 in Fukuoka.
Steenbergen was back on the blocks later in the session in the 200 individual medley, which she won by more than three seconds. Steenbergen touched the wall in 2:11.60, with Sweden’s Hanna Bergman placing second in 2:14.61. Haughey came back later in the session to win the 50 breaststroke in 30.78.
Lukas Märtens Cruises to Title in 200 Freestyle
Coming off a German record in the 200 backstroke on Friday night, Lukas Märtens sped away from the field in the 200 freestyle during Saturday action. Märtens checked in with a time of 1:45.67, which was comfortably ahead of the 1:46.41 turned in by Sweden’s Robin Hansen. Märtens led wire to wire while setting the stage for Sunday’s 400 freestyle, an event in which he is the world-record holder.
Märtens owns a career best in the 200 freestyle of 1:44.14 and his efforts at the Bergen Festival suggest a big summer could be on the horizon for the 24-year-old. This summer, Märtens will be targeting the European Championships in Paris, the city where the German claimed Olympic gold in 2024 in the 400 freestyle.
Van Mathias Continues to Flash Speed
On the heels of becoming the second-fastest American in the history of the 100 breaststroke, Van Mathias dialed up a sub-23 outing to win the 50 butterfly. Mathias posted a swim of 22.99 to defeat countryman Dare Rose, who was second in 23.16. Mathias entered the race riding a wave of momentum, thanks to a 58.19 marker in the 100 breaststroke from Friday night.
Although best known for her ability in the freestyle events, particularly the 200 distance, American Anna Peplowski shined in a secondary event. Peplowski covered her four laps of the 200 backstroke in 2:08.96 to win the event by more than five seconds. Peplowski was only .06 off her best in the event, which was registered earlier this year in Pro Series competition.
Sweden’s Louise Hansson easily won the women’s 100 butterfly, as she was the only swimmer to break the 58- or 59-second barriers. Hansson clocked a time of 57.63, which was well ahead of the 59.02 from countrywoman Sara Junevik.
In other action, Finland’s Matti Mattsson secured victory in the 200 breaststroke, as his swim of 2:12.11 was .03 faster than the 2:12.14 of runnerup Adam Chillingworth (Hong Kong). The United States’ Luke Barr topped the field in the men’s 100 backstroke in 54.69 and Czechia’s Michal Judickij (4:19.48) was quickest in the 400 IM. Norway’s Henrik Christiansen (15:21.45) finished ahead of the field in the 1500 freestyle.