Jessicah Schipper has become the latest Australian swimming star to break a world record, setting a new mark of 2:05.40...
Jessicah Schipper has become the latest Australian swimming star to break a world record, setting a new mark of 2:05.40 in the 200 metres butterfly at the Pan Pacific Championships in Canada today.
The 19-year-old Ken Wood trained swimmer who is affectionately known as “The Sparrow” dipped 0.21 of a second under the old mark of 2:05.61 set by Poland’s Otylia Jedrzejczak at the 2005 FINA World Championships in Montreal.
Schipper finished a controversial second in that race in a Commonwealth record of 2:05.65 after Jedrzejczak illegally touched with just one hand at the finish but incredibly was not disqualified by officials.
In Montreal Schipper went through the 100m mark in 1:00.61, just ahead of Jedrzejczak’s 1:01.19 and today the Australian split a sizzling 1:00.11 to be a massive 1.08 of a second under the world time.
Schipper becomes just the second Australian to hold the 200m butterfly world record after legendary two-time Olympic champion Susan O’Neill who clocked 2:05.81 in 2000.
The teenager was very relaxed before the race arriving at the pool early and reading a book before joking in the marshling area.
“I felt really comfortable over the first 100 metres. I could feel the energy of the crowd urging me on and I knew if I stuck with my plan that I would come close to the record,” Schipper said.
“When I touched the wall I wasn’t game to turn around but I knew it was quick because of the roar of the crowd.”
Schipper immediately left the water and headed straight for her long time coach Ken Wood on pool deck, embracing him in a eurphoric hug, dedicating the race to him and 16-year-old Irish training partner Jack Nunn.
“I dedicate the race to my long time coach Ken Wood and training partner Jack Nunn who has done all the hard sets with me.
“I am so proud to follow in the footsteps of Susie (O’Neil) and Petria (Thomas) and uphold the Australian butterfly crown and tradition that those girls held for so long.”
The Brisbane office assistant also extends Australia’s domination in the event at the Pan Pacs to eleven years after O’Neill won the title in 1995, 1997 and 1999 and Petria Thomas won in 2002.
Schipper has come through the Australian Youth Olympic Festival winning three gold at the 2003 event.
Schipper will swim the 100m butterfly, the event in which won both the world and Commonwealth titles in, on Sunday morning (Australian time).
American superstar Michael Phelps followed Schipper’s swim with a world record of his own by clocking 1:53.80 to slice 0.13 from his former mark.
Schipper Splits: 28.35, 1:00.11, 1:32.46, 2:05.40.
World Record progressions since 1980
2:06.37 Mary T. Meagher USA Irvine 7/30/1980
2:05.96 Mary T. Meagher USA Brown Deer 8/13/1981
2:05.81 Susan O'Neill AUS Sydney 5/21/2000
2:05.78 Otylia Jedrzejczak POL Berlin 8/4/2002
2:05.61 Otylia Jedrzejczak POL Montreal 28/7/2005 2:05.40 Jessicah Schipper AUS Victoria, BC 17/8/06
Swimming Australia
