Louise Hansson had no problem advancing to the semi-finals of the 100 meter butterfly at the short course World Championships in Melbourne. With the best time of all in the four trial heats, she beat both reigning champion and Olympic winner Margaret MacNeil (Canada) and reigning World Long Course Champion Torri Huske (USA).
“The speed is there, so it’s great that it goes so easily,” says Louise Hansson about her trial time of 55.74, in the swimming association’s broadcast after the race.
— So just try to keep a relaxed first 50, it is in the second 50 that the race will take place and there are fast girls to swim against. It will be crazy fun, she continues.
Klara Thormalm also made it to the semi-finals – but in the 50 meter breaststroke – with a test time of 30.06. Sophie Hansson, who took bronze in the event at the short course World Championships in Abu Dhabi last year, did not start as planned.
Although Oskar Hoff had his second best race in the 100 meter butterfly trials, he failed to qualify for the semi-finals with a time of 51.28.
— All my races I’ve done here have been my second best times and by far my best trial races, so I would have liked more but I’m not super unhappy, says Hoff in the swimming association’s broadcast after the race.