Queens Of Consistency: Cate Campbell & Sizzling Sis Bronte Lead The Charge

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Updated: July 18, 2016

After we started our month-long countdown to racing in Rio with a look at some of the most significant swims of Olympic season so far on the clock, we turn our attention to consistency; the rate at which contenders stack up quality efforts in the top 10, top 20 and top 25 performances.

In the series so far:

Men’s sprint freestyle – time-space stretchers Men’s 200-1500m free – a war zone Men’s backstroke – which way will the USA Vs AUS Swingometer sway? Men’s breaststroke – The Challenge Of Adam Peaty’s Punch & Daniel In His Den Men’s butterfly – Are You Not Entertained? You Will Be: By Phelps, Le Clos, Cseh & Co Men’s medley – Last Stand Of Phelps V Lochte; Can Hagino & Seto Replace Them?

Today we start our look at the women’s events with sprint freestyle and the leading contenders among those who have shown they have what it takes to step on to the ultimate podium.

Racing gets underway in Rio on August 6.

Sizzling sisters of speed Cate and Bronte Campbell, courtesy of Swimming Australia

Sprint Freestyle:

All over? Well, it’s never over until fingertips meet pad, clock stops and celebration and commiseration begin.

Even so, with efforts of 23.84 and 52.06, the former a textile world best the latter a world record, all suits, in the treasury, Cate Campbell, of Australia, will arrive in Rio as one of the strongest favourites for gold in any events in the pool.

Confined to the minor spoils at world titles by sister Bronte, Cate Campbell followed her 52.06 world record at the Brisbane GP a month out from Rio with two key thoughts: there are no guarantees at the Olympics and all who make the finals must then stand and deliver on promise; and she enters her races as the underdog.

The first assessment is spot on; the second is something that may help her find her feet but the rest of us know that a woman on 23.84 and 52.06 is no underdog.

Campbell’s caution with anything that has her down as a cert is not only sensible in the context of swimming history but speaks to her own roller-coaster ride through swimming.

Shiny suits got in the way: she was in her 17th year when in Rome at the circus of 43 world records in eight days she clocked 23.99, double Olympic champion of 2008, Britta Steffen (GER), on that stunning time from another sport, 23.73.

Cate Campbell heralded and celebrated by Dawn Fraser in Brisbane today, courtesy of Swimming Australia

Along the way came setback through illness and injury and it took a while to get back to potential, her season bests of 25.13 in 2010, 24.43 in 2011 and 24.44 in Olympic year. The breakthrough cam in 2013, the world title in the 100m her’s in, the dash silver behind Ranomi Kromowidjojo‘s 24.05 earned in 24.14

Both the 50 and 100 crowns will be defended by Kromowidjojo, of the Netherlands. She will be a contender once more, the dash more promising than her prospects in the 100m, the form guide (her’s and how that relates to others) of the past Olympic cycle suggests.

Then we have Fran Halsall (GBR), in the dash, and Sarah Sjostrom (SWE) in both, among leading contenders, while double World champion Bronte Campbell is not only a contender for gold and podium in both events but could deliver an Olympic first as the Australian sisters of sizzling speed seek to become the first siblings to share a podium in a solo event since it all began in 1896 for the men and 1912 for the women.

The Source of Speed

“Cate was a reluctant swimmer from the start,” said Bronte …

continue reading in source www.swimvortex.com

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