The Week That Was: Major Stars Rattle World Records At 2018 Pan Pacs

Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

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This week saw the conclusion of two of the biggest international meets this summer, the Pan Pac Championships in Tokyo and the European Championships in Glasgow. Check out the notable swims from that meet and the biggest new of the week below!

The Week That Was #5 – Kathleen Baker Announces Partnership With Speedo

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Speedo USA announced Kathleen Baker as their newest signed athlete this week. Baker had just announced her decision to turn pro a few days prior to Speedo’s announcement. The Cal Bear and sometime member of Team Elite is coming off her most successful long course meet to date at the 2018 US Nationals in Irvine, CA, including her first long course world record in the 100 back. She also won a title in the 200 back and set a new U.S. Open record in the 200 IM, and most recently at Pan Pacs won a gold, silver, and two bronze medals as part of Team USA. Speedo has also re-signed European Champion Duncan Scott and inked a new deal with Olympic and World Champion Caeleb Dressel in the last four weeks.

The Week That Was #4 – California Court Upholds Brock Turner’s Conviction

Photo Courtesy: Greene County Sheriff’s Office

Brock Turner, who was convicted of sexual assault against an unconscious woman back in 2016, had his conviction upheld by a California appeals court this week. Turner’s lawyers had appealed his conviction based on the fact that was insufficient evidence that he had sought only “outercourse” in the original trial. The evidence was not enough to convince the judge panel that the conviction should not be upheld. Turner was originally charged with sexual assault of an intoxicated person and sexual assault with intent to commit rape. The case captured national attention for Turner’s sentence, which many saw as a slap on the wrist.

The Week That Was #3 – Dagny Knutson Verdict Reinstated By California Court

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Former professional swimmer Dagny Knutson’s verdict was reinstated by a California appeals court this week in her fraud case against attorney Richard Foster. Foster had appealed the verdict and requested a new trial, which Orange County Superior Judge Theodore R. Howard denied. Back in 2016, Knutson was awarded $647,800 for breach of fiduciary duty by Foster, as he willfully concealing information while advising Knutson to accept a financial settlement with USA Swimming after they failed to honor their end of a financial agreement with the swimmer. You can read more about the original case and the verdict that was upheld here.

The Week That Was #2 – More Records Fall At 2018 European Championships

PEATY Adam GBR Gold Medal 50m Breaststroke Finals Glasgow 08/08/18 Swimming Tollcross International Swimming Centre LEN European Aquatics Championships 2018 European Championships 2018 Photo Andrea Masini/ Deepbluemedia/Insidefoto

Photo Courtesy: Giorgio Scala/Deepbluemedia/Insidefoto

The fast swimming in Glasgow continued this week, with the bulk of European Championships concluding this week. Adam Peaty, fresh off his world record in the 100 breast, settled for the third fastest performance in the 50 breast (26.09), which was also a championship record. Sarah Sjostrom also came away with four individual gold medals this week with the fastest time in the world in the 50 free. Russian Evgeny Rylov broke the European record in the 200 back (1:53.36), as did teammate Anton Chupkov in the 200 breast (2:06.80), while Ben Proud became the fastest textile performance in the men’s 50 free (21.11). You can find all of the results and recaps from the 2018 European Championships in Glasgow here.

The Week That Was #1 – Major Stars Rattle World Records At 2018 Pan Pacs

Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Several world records were rattled in Tokyo as the biggest swimming powers on the other side of globe came together to compete at the 2018 Pan Pacific Games. Australian Cate Campbell continued her successful comeback, including recording the fastest 100 free relay split in history (50.93) while also going a best flat start time in the 100 (52.03) and winning the 50 free (23.81). The meet was not without it’s upsets, including a shocking DQ for the U.S. men’s 4×100 free relay when the relay swam in the wrong order. Taylor Ruck also had a huge swim in the 200 free, unseating Katie Ledecky for the top time in the world with a 1:54.44, while Kyle Chalmers made a triumphant return in the men’s 100 free after sitting out last season for heart surgery. One of the major swimmers Chalmers took down was American Caeleb Dressel, who revealed after the meet he had a motorcycle accident before US Nationals and almost had to miss the meet. You find all of the results and recaps from the 2018 Pan Pacific Championships here.

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Jennifer

5 years ago

Wow, huge misplaced focus on Cate Campbell who now has had exactly two good swims in the past five years of major international competition, the last being her 100 Free title in Barcelona. Yet somehow Campbell has not gained any sense of humility in these past years, saying after the Pan Pacs that Australia has “put the US on notice”. Sure Cate, keep dreaming and check the Pan Pacs medal tables.

Charlotte

5 years ago

Campbell 100 Free time was ok, but 50 Free a bit meh at just third in world. Big stories in my view were Murphy swims, Ledecky’s meet-high three individual wins including total distance dominance and insane relay split, Kalisz IM sweep, and thrilling US mens relays.

Aussie Viewer

5 years ago

Agree that our Cate has tendency to stick foot in mouth despite so many middling performances, so embarrassing.

American Viewer

5 years ago

Reply to Aussie Viewer

To Aussie Viewer: This is one American Viewer who thinks Cate Campbell’s performance is worthy of Female Swimmer of the Meet, especially her relay anchors, and I do think the US Women should be on notice. I apologize on behalf of my American Compatriots.

Dave

5 years ago

Reply to American Viewer

The U.S. definitely underperformed in this meet yet still dominated the Medal count. I’m sure they’ll sort it out before the Olympics, they almost always do. The Australian women will certainly be tough in the 4 X 100 free relay but I doubt they’ll again take the U.S. down in the other relays.

Toby

5 years ago

Are folks really believing the Dressel motorcycle excuse? If so, Speedo, NBC and Coach Troy have a bridge in Brooklyn that they have just put up for sale.

Gary

5 years ago

Female backstrokers to me were greatest disappointment of Pan Pacs. Campbell still sorting things through, her 50 Free not that sharp and only third in world this year, her psycho-drama and narcissism continuing with anti-USA post-meet comments. She only looked good because of weary Simone M and fatigue of other US sprinters. Hats off to Ledecky, GOAT with three event best in world times at end of season–as well as Murphy (back on top), Kalisz, Haas and Adrian. Caeleb needs better handlers.