Curtis Strikes Again: 26.56 For 2nd WR In 24 Hours & 1st 50 Back Crown For Italy
"Without my mum and dad, nothing would be possible. If I could, I would take them to the podium. When I decided to go to Virginia I was only thinking about this, about being able to shout a world record day. I succeeded. To me, these victories literally mean the world," - Sara Curtis
Sara Curtis sent smoke off the water for a second time in 24 hours with a 26.56 World-record victory in the 50m backstroke that delivered Italy's first gold in the dash event since it joined the European program in 1999.
It was the first gold for Italy in the backstroke dash since the race was introduced to the Euro showcase in 1999.
The fastest win, in any race, of course, Curtis' 26.56 also marked the biggest margin of victory - 0.5sec - ever seen in the back dash at Euro l/c champs, Janine Pietsch's 0.36 defeat of Aliaksandra Herasimenia in 2006 the previous "mind-the-gap" standout.
There's not much to say beyond: she was in a class of her own, a swimmer returned to Europe from her base at Virginia, with top mentor Todd de Sorbo and his entourage of coaches, with a sorority of some of the finest, fastest sprinters in swimming history, including 'fly queen Gretchen Walsh and breaststroke, freestyle and medley ace Kate Douglass.
The silver and bronze were fast too, just not that fast! They went to Mary-Ambre Moluh (FRA) and Lauren Cox (GBR), part of a generation looking to take their dash speed to the biggest stage at last, the 50m stroke events to be staged for the first time in Olympic waters at type LA2028 Games.
The result send Italian broadcasters into a Frenzy and as cameras caught the jubilation, they alighted on Sara's mum in the crowd, French flag waving as she danced in celebration of her daughter's pioneering victory. The swimmer said:
"I am really happy. It was hard to manage yesterday's record-breaking emotions. I struggled to fall asleep. I tried to keep everything aside. In the race I tried to accelerate in the last 15 metres as much as possible. It's another madness. Without my mum and dad, nothing would be possible. If I could, I would take them to the podium. When I decided to go to Virginia I was only thinking about this, about being able to shout a world record day. I succeeded. To me, these victories literally mean the world. I am happy to write historic pages of sport for swimming and for Italy. Singing the anthem was beautiful. I can't wait to find out what the future holds for me."
In other women's final on Day 4:
Craig Lord
The History File below ...
