6 October 2023, Berlin, Germany

WOMEN’S 400M FREESTYLE

Erika Fairweather - NZL

I am just super stoked to win.  Coming all the way from the other side of the world, I really didn’t know what to expect. Lani Pallister (AUS) was pushing me and it's funny how that happens that we are two swimmers from Oceania swimming close together in the final. You can see by the race that we were pushing each other.

Coming off a bronze medal in Fukuoka was such a confidence booster, especially swimming again in this stacked field.

MEN’S 400M FREESTYLE

Danas Rapsys LTU

I didn't swim very well this morning and was 9th after the semis,  But the German swimmer dropped out and I found myself in the final.  I didn’t expect that, but I felt really good.  After Fukuoka I took the longest vacation ever, and perhaps that will be the new plan for me.  I got back in the water about a month ago and I really feel strong and honestly that race was easy for me.  

WOMEN’S 50M BACKSTROKE

Kaylee McKeown AUS

I was really pleased with that swim after only a few weeks of training.  I love to be challenged by the other girls in the 50.   I felt good about my swim although my back end still needs work.  I don’t really think about the medals that I won at the World Championships.  Every season is a clean slate and I am proud of those medals, but they are not key to the things that I want to do in the future.  

MEN’S 200M BACKSTROKE

Thomas Ceccon  ITA

I felt really strong after three weeks of hard training at altitude for this with my coach.  I only took 3 or 4 days off after Fukuoka because I really need to train for the Olympics and be ready for these world cups.  

I wore my lucky cap (with the USA flag) today.  In every swim meet I wear it if i can.  I traded with an American guy at World Juniors in 2019.

WOMEN’S 200M BUTTERFLY

Zhang Yufei - CHN

Yes I was pleased, but it was a little bit slower than my Asian Games time.  But I must say that this is a really horrible event.  It makes me very tired.  We raced a lot at the Asian Games just recently  and my body is very tired.  I really need a rest but we will continue racing here and also in Athlens and in Budapest and then I will be able to fully rest.  

MEN’S 100M BUTTERFLY

Michael Andrew - USA  

It was a tight turn around, the 50 free was a good swim.  I swam a 22.30 and for me anything above 22 isn’t where I need to be.  Coming off the 100 fly we changed a few things with my stroke.  We were experimenting with a straight arm stroke, but now we have changed it back.

Typically it's not a good idea to make changes on the fly, but I am one of those athletes that is very in tune with my body. I know that I can try different things and react on the spot.  Even inside a meet we can make changes and we  are constantly learning.  I have a few days to get ready for the 50 free in Athens.  That’s the challenge but also the beauty of the World Cup.

WOMEN’S 200M BREASTSTROKE

Tes Schouten - NED

It was a world cup record by 2 tenths.  I never thought this was possible until my coach said that he thought there was a chance for the record.  He said something to me after this morning’s heats, and I also thought that swimming the record might be possible and he encouraged me to go with it.  On the last turn I saw Jenna coming close and I made a push. I took off 3 weeks and it feels good to be back in this form.

MEN’S 100M BREASTSTROKE

QIN Haiyang - CHN

I am really happy with this result.  I have just swum at the Asian Games and my body is very tired but I will continue to swim and try to win in Berlin and in the breaststroke events at  the world cup events in Athens and Budapest.

I was pleased to win the three breaststroke events in Fukuoka and it will be my main goal to do this again,  more to follow.  I am really glad to see that Adam Peaty is back.  He has been so very good in this event and I will continue to look forward to racing him at many competitions in the future.

 

WOMEN’S 50M FREESTYLE

Sarah Sjostrom - SWE

It’s great to win. It was nice to have a three-week break.  I didn’t stress anything.  I think my swimming is very good. I can see all the details that I need to work on - my starts and breakouts.  For me, the time was very good and I feel amazing.  I am not going to force anything but I know I can work on the details and get better.  I have always said that consistency is important.  I am pleased that I can swim pretty well throughout the whole season.  I think the progression will come with the correction of some of these small details.  I like racing and I have already adapted my program at the world championships with the 50m free and the 50 fly.  I am pleased to have so many racing opportunities.  I am not going to swim European short course this year.  I am going to go straight into the long course season.  

 

MEN’S 50M FREESTYLE
Isaac Cooper - AUS

You can say I’m back but it feels like I never left really. I had about a month off after worlds and I had a solid 6 week training block in the pool and in the gym.  I was pleased to swim two times under 22.  I think this is an invaluable experience.  It's an experience that not many people get to have.  This is the first World Cup and I am loving it. I knew standing behind the block that I was going to win.