2009 Best Performers
1500 METRES FREESTYLE
| # | Country | Time | Name | IPS | Meet | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | ITA | 15:44.93 | Filippi, Alessia | 1010 | WORLDJUL |
| 2 |  | DEN | 15:46.30 | Friis, Lotte | 1008 | WORLDJUL |
| 3 |  | ROU | 15:55.63 | Potec, Camelia | 994 | WORLDJUL |
| 4 |  | CHI | 15:57.57 | Kobrich, Kristel | 991 | WORLDJUL |
| 5 |  | ESP | 16:00.25 | Villaecija, Erika | 987 | WORLDJUL |
Australia: Nick D'Arcy, the Dolphin dropped from the Aussie Olympic team last year after smashing up former swimmer Simon Cowley's face, must wait until March 27 to find out whether he will go to jail for his offence. A court ruling yesterday means that D'Arcy can race at Aussie trials for Rome 2009 and is among favourites to win the 200m 'fly. He pleaded guilty in court to recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm on Cowley last year during a post-Olympic trials night out last year. His lawyer argued against a custodial sentence, saying that D'Arcy would then not be able to swim, study and continue his treatment for binge-drinking and poor impulse control. Such treatment is available to prisoners in many countries around the world. Not sure about Australia. As for swimming and studying, well, it may occur to some, at such times, to ask whether Cowley will ever get his old face back and whether he was able to go about normal life at a time of receiving treatment and rehabilitation for injuries sustained from D'Arcy's fist.
France: Olympic champ Alan Bernard takes on Fabien Gilot over 100m free at the Saint-Raphael meet, which gets underway today. Also in action: Coralie Balmy; Alexianne Castel; Aurore Mongel; Camille Muffat; Ophélie-Cyrielle Etienne; Malia Metella; Esther Baron; Sophie de Ronchi; Christophe Lebon; Clément Lefert; Grégory Mallet; Boris Steimetz; Rafa Muñoz (ESP). Meanwhile, coach Philippe Lucas, in talks with Font-Romeu in southern France, is also discussing a possible base at Dunkirk in the north.
Australia: Nicole Jeffery at The Australian reveals the return to racing of sprinter Ashley Callus, whose career was helped greatly by the arrival of a certain fast suit: he was significantly faster than ever before last year at the age of 29. If anyone feels a rush of blood and anger to the head when they read that - it isn't personal. Just fact:
- 21.62 2008
- 21.68 2008
- 22.01 2008
- 22.02 2008
- 22.11 2008
- 22.12 2008
- 22.19 2006
- 22.23 2006
- 22.25 2006
- 22.38 2003
Callus turns 30 in two weeks and tells Jeffery: "First it was a retirement, then it was stepping back, then an extended break and now I'm back. I have a personal training licence so I had been keeping myself reasonably fit in the gym. And then I started helping out with the swimmers in the gym and then I decided to get back in with them." Back in fort five weeks, he believes he can challenge for a place on the Rome 2009 squad at trials in March 17-22.
