Ryk Neethling was once again a regular visitor to the podium on the first day of the Fina Swimming World Cup in Durban on Friday. Last year saw the Olympic gold medallist picking up a total of 21 World Cup medals in the eight-leg series and taking the overall title. This year, it seems, will be no different.
Neethling comfortably claimed victory in the 100m freestyle in 47,63 seconds before diving back in the pool 15 minutes later to take the 100m individual-medley gold. The 27-year-old is the world record-holder in the individual medley and said afterwards he was disappointed that his request to have the programme changed to give him a longer break between races had been denied.
”Two swims in 15 minutes was very tough,” he said, after finishing in 53,03 seconds. ”I’m looking forward to swimming in Sydney because there I’ll have an hour-and-a-half break in between races. And that’s what I had when I broke the world record in New York.”
Neethling said he had been inspired by his home crowd and commented on the absence of his former training partner.
”It was weird swimming without Roland [Schoeman],” he said. ”I was feeling quite flat in the heats this morning, but the crowd was definitely an inspiration to me tonight.”
Meanwhile, South Africa’s teen queens Suzaan van Biljon and Lauren Roets both bagged silver medals. Van Biljon finished second in the 100m breaststroke behind Australia’s Jade Edmistone in a time of 1:06,79, while Roets claimed her podium spot with an excellent performance in the 100m freestyle.
Roets’s time of 54,49 seconds was just seven-100ths off Helene Muller’s South African record, and the $1 000 she collected in prize money came as a slightly belated birthday present. Roets turned 18 just three days ago.
”I didn’t expect to get a medal,” she admitted afterwards. ”I came into this event seeded 10th and had a good heat this morning, so I’m delighted with this and to get so close to the South African record.”
Melissa Corfe was the other South African to win a medal on Friday. She finished third in the 200m backstroke in a time of 2:12,02. — Sapa