Gichard Just Misses Second Final Qualification

Fifteen-year-old Hawkes Bay swimmer Bobbi Gichard was outside her previous best to just miss out on making her second final at the FINA World Junior Championships in Singapore.

Gichard, who won the bronze medal in the 100m backstroke yesterday, finished 12^th fastest in the 200m backstroke, missing out on her second final.

She was 0.9 seconds outside her previous best and was disappointed with her swim.

“I felt pretty average about my swim. I wanted to go faster than I did. But there’s nothing I can do about it now, just go back home and practice more about my race.”

Gichard said she will target a personal best and a place in the final in the 50m backstroke tomorrow.

Auckland’s Annabelle Paterson also missed out on qualifying, finishing 21^st fastest in the same event, her debut at a major international meet.

“It was real scary beforehand in the marshalling area. I am glad I have that out of the way,” the United club swimmer said.

She will be back in the pool tomorrow.

“I want to focus more on my race and feeling the water more rather than all the things going on around me.”

Fellow United club swimmer Gabrielle Fa’amausili finished 32^nd fastest in the heats of the 50m butterfly in 28.77s.

All of the New Zealand team are in action tomorrow with Fa’amausili defending her title in the 50m backstroke along with Gichard, Wilrich Coetzee (North Shore) in the 50 butterfly, Paterson in the 400m freestyle and Yeonsu Lee in the 400m freestyle and 200m individual medley.

The fifth World Junior Swimming Championships, staged at the OCBC Aquatic Centre, runs until Sunday.

CAPTION: Annabelle Paterson in action. (The image is for editorial use only. Credit: BW Media)