There's so much to talk about for the Charlotte UltraSwim, but I gotta stick with the most exciting race for me.
I was happy to see Mike back in the pool. Up until this weekend, it seemed like an eternity passed since Beijing. But it was only 9 months. Mike seemed very cool, relaxed, happy, and in his element. He was very confident and calm when talking to the press, and overall gave the sense that it was going to be an amazing time in Charlotte. Several fav swimmers were also there, and that includes Rowdy Gaines and Mel Stewart doing their commentator/interviewer thing. But, of course Mike was the biggest story of the UltraSwim. For so many fans who waited patiently for Mike to get back on the block, this was going to be bliss.
Media coverage was intense, yet again MP kept it all smooth and focused on the events at hand. He earned 'Cool Points' for that. So all we had to do was watch and "see what happens."
Mike was swimming 5 events: 50, 100, 200 Free, 100 Fly, and 100 Back. Although he qualified for all finals, he scratched the 50 Free final probably due to lack of recovery time in between races. It's possible he wanted to save energy for THE most exciting race of the meet: The 100 meter Backstroke.
What was so special about that race? That's easy. You had Phelps, Aaron Peirsol, Ryan Lochte, and Nick Thoman among the group. Peirsol and Lochte won Gold in Beijing in Back events. Thoman's US Open Champion. These guys are some of the best in the event. So for me, the 100 Back was the most intense. Phan Eve pointed out that Matt Grevers wasn't competing: I don't think anyone could survive the excitement if Grevers were in the pool. Even now, it blows my mind to think of all those powerhouses in one non-Olympic event.
The prelims told it all: Peirsol: 55.56 Phelps: 55.61 Thoman: 55.97 Lochte: 55.98 So this was going to be the big nail biter for many. Finals came, results: Peirsol, Phelps, Thoman, Lochte. This was an exciting race, so I have no doubt that Phelps will step up his game during World Trials in July.
CHECK OUT THE MEN'S 100 BACKSTROKE FINAL BELOW
The Charlotte UltraSwim was a very cool event. Mike got 2 Gold, 2 Silver, and he tried a new freestyle technique. Everyone thinks once he ups his speed times, he will again be that unstoppable force we saw in Beijing. Plus, and this is important to many a phan, he looked very good while doing it all :) It was comforting to see Phelps with that Fresh-From-The-Pool-Look (Medal around the neck, Run-Your-Fingers-Through-It hair). It was appreciated by those at home, and those who saw the events up close ;) I have to say that the Phriends were very happy to have new photos to...peruse. And we were happy to see new vids and pix of our other fav swimmers.
Much love to PPP member Nette who actually got to be at the UltraSwim and see our guy in action. AND she got to meet the One and Only Ryan 'Reezy' Lochte. Im too excited to be jealy ;)
There were SO many other stories from the meet that I just can't cover, so I added some vids from the UltraSwim. And don't forget to visit swimnetwork.com to see all the races from Charlotte. And be ready for Phelps Phive and Phriends coverage of the 2009 ConocoPhillips Nat'l Championships and World Championships Trials! Not that I'm excited about it or anything....Ok maybe I am, a little bit.