All Results and Live Results can be found here
* Men 200 LC Meter Backstroke
=== A- Final ===
1 Peirsol, Aaron W 24 Longhorn Aquatic 2:00.53 1:55.81M
27.90 57.25 (29.35)
1:26.66 (29.41) 1:55.81 (29.15)
2 Phelps, Michael F 22 Club Wolverine-M 2:00.89 1:55.84M
28.27 57.58 (29.31)
1:27.20 (29.62) 1:55.84 (28.64)
***
New Aaron interview:
FloSwimming has an interview with Aaron online. Go here to watch it.
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* Peter Vanderkaay Downs 400 Free American Record
“... In a heavyweight matchup, Aaron Peirsol touched out Phelps in the men’s 200 back, 1:55.81 to 1:55.84 as he barely held off the hard-charging Club Wolverine swimmer.
Here are the splits of the amazing race:
Peirsol: 27.90, 57.25 (29.35), 1:26.66 (29.41), 1:55.81 (29.15)
Phelps: 28.27, 57.58 (29.31), 1:27.20 (29.62), 1:55.84 (28.64)Peirsol’s consistency was the key to him coming out on top as Phelps spent most of his energy trying to track him down.
Both swimmers downed Peirsol’s previous meet record of 1:56.95 set back in 2004, while Chris DeJong comprised the rest of the top three with a 1:57.61 – the last sub-2:00 mark of the race.
Peirsol and Phelps also posted the fastest times in the world this year, clipping Peirsol’s previous season-best of 1:55.85, shared with Markus Rogan. ...”
LA Times article:
* Aaron Peirsol still has the touch in rivalry with Michael Phelps
“... The second-to-last question of the brief media session on the pool deck brought forth a big smile from Michael Phelps on Saturday night.
“Michael, is Aaron your Kryptonite?”
The human Kryptonite would be Aaron Peirsol. Peirsol and Phelps have a spirited rivalry in the backstroke—a lot like Phelps and Ian Crocker in the 100-meter butterfly.
One difference: Peirsol always prevails in his specialty. This time, the touch was the decider at the Santa Clara International Invitational as Peirsol won the 200 backstroke in 1 minute 55.81 seconds and Phelps took second in 1:55.84.
“I had enough left to hold him off a little bit,” Peirsol said. “Glad it wasn’t 203 meters or he would have had me.”
Oh yes, and as for the Kryptonite issue.
“I guess. It feels like every time I get in the water, he snakes me on the finish,” said Phelps, who earlier won the 100 butterfly in a meet-record 51.61 seconds. “He absolutely destroys me at turns.
“Like I said, I love racing him. He’s a great competitor, a hard racer and he’s definitely one of my favorites. ...”
* Peirsol edges Phelps in backstroke; Vanderkaay sets mark
* Peirsol ekes out dramatic duel with Phelps, Coughlin keeps churning out world-class times
* Piersol beats Phelps in backstroke again at Olympics qualifier tuneup
* Vanderkaay Sets American Record at Toyota Santa Clara Grand Prix
Video Reminder:
Watch the Santa Clara Meet
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They have races and interviews online at their Grand Prix meet page
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SwimNetwork’s race videos and interviews can be found here