Wiffen and Walshe fastest qualifiers at U23 meet

Irelands Daniel Wiffen, fourth in the 800 and 1500m freestyle at the recent world swimming championships in Japan, is expected to win gold in the men's 1500 at the inaugural LEN European U23 Meet at the NAC in Dublin this evening.

Wiffen is the fastest qualifier into the Heat declared winner 1500, the second race of the evening session on day one of the three-day meet.

The 22 year old Loughborough based swimmer posted an Irish record time of 14.31.91 seconds and is way ahead of the rest of the field, 11 seconds clear of the second fastest qualifier, Germany's Oliver Klement. Barring a disaster in the race, Wiffen should be in position to win golf for Ireland.

Wiffen is also the European record holder in the men’s 800m freestyle and will be joined in the finals session this evening by Olympic finalist Mona McSharry, second fastest qualifier for the final in the women’s 50m breastroke in 30.66 seconds.

The Tennessee based swimmer won heat 2 with only 19-year-old Italian Anita Bottazoo (30.08) beating her time across the heats.

Ellen Walshe is also second fastest qualifier into the final of the women’s 100m butterfly in 58.86, three quarters of a second off her own Irish record.

Walshe is the fastest European qualifier, with Emma Stricklen of the USA the fastest overall qualifier. The latter can’t win the European title as an overseas guest swimmer.

Walshe is also the fastest qualifier into tonight’s final of the women’s 200m Individual medley while Maria Godden (29.20 seconds) is 8th fastest qualifier into the final of the women’s 50m backstroke.

The finals on day one are off the blocks at 6pm this evening