Irish swimmers and divers continued to put on a show in Belgrade with all six athletes in action advancing through from the morning rounds.
Newly crowned European Danielle Hill parked the emotion of last night and returned to the pool to compete in the 100m Backstroke heat. The Larne swimmer, who reserved a ticket to Paris just under a month ago in this event, showed she was fully focused on the task in hand this morning posting 1:00.62 to move through the round as the fastest seed.
Speaking after this morning’s heat, Hill said, “I’m really happy, my mission coming into today was could I park the emotion of last night, get back in this morning and be on it again. That swim is impressive especially with the emotion of last night.”
Lottie Cullen, swimming her favoured event, will join Hill tonight in the 100m Backstroke semi-final after she posted 1:02.54 placing tenth. Cullen will swim her third semi-final this week on her maiden appearance donning the Irish cap.
Jack Cassin made his first individual appearance at a senior international meet in the 200m Butterfly heat. The National Centre (Limerick) swimmer came home in a personal best of 1:59.05 to qualify for the semi-final in 14th.
Ellie McCartney continued to impress as she came through the 200m Individual Medley heat in a time of 2:16.66 to advance to the semi-final. McCartney will head to the blocks twice in quick succession this evening for both the 200m Breaststroke Final and 200m Medley Semi-Final.
Nathan Wiffen brought morning five to a close with a strong performance in the 1500 Freestyle heat in 15:10.01, qualifying for the Final tomorrow evening. Wiffen, alongside Hungarian Zalan Sarkany, dominated the heat to secure a place in the final a full 21.93 seconds ahead of his next competitor.
In Diving, Clare Cryan secured a spot in her second final of this championships this morning. Cryan scored 239.75 to place sixth in the 3m Springboard. Her best dive coming in the fourth round with 55.50 points.
The 3m Springboard final will get underway today at 4.15pm (IRL).
Day 5 Morning Results
Women 100 Backstroke
Danielle Hill – 1:00.62 (1) Q, Lottie Cullen – 1:02.54 (10), Q
Men 200 Butterfly
Jack Cassin – 1.59.04 (14), Q
Women 200 Medley
Ellie McCartney – 2:16.66 (6), Q
Men 1500 Freestyle
Nathan Wiffen – 15:10.01 (4), Q
Diving
Women 3M Springboard
Clare Cryan – 239.75 (5th), Q
Day 5 Evening Schedule
Diving
Women 3m Springboard Final Clare Cryan (4:15pm)
Swimming
Women 200 Breaststroke Final
Ellie McCartney (5:43pm)
Women 100 Backstroke SF
Danielle Hill, Lottie Cullen (5:50pm)
