Germany's Isabel Gose led the way into the final of the 800m freestyle on day 3 of the European s/c Championships in Lublin, Poland, this morning with an 8:13.70 in heats 36 hours after lifting gold in the 400m in the opening showdown of the winter showcase.

Gose swam in the last line-up his morning knowing that Italian Simona Quadarella, silver medallist in the 400m, had set the lead pace through to the final at 8:14.99.

Quadarella was one of the top four finishers in the Race of the World Championships in Singapore back in August:

W800 Free - Empress Of Endurance Ledecky Leads The Greatest Women’s Distance Race In History To Triumph

Gold: 8:05.62 Katie Ledecky (USA); Silver: 8:05.98 Lani Pallister (AUS); Bronze: Summer McIntosh, 8:07.29. “I don’t feel like I have too much to lose ... just knowing what a fast field this was, I knew that if I put my best foot forward, I could be proud of the swim/the season that I’ve had.”

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

Meanwhile, in Lublin this morning:

• RESULTS, QUALIFIERS AND START LISTS IN FULL at OMEGA

Finals In Lublin:

Day 1:

Irish History Maker Shortt Sets World Junior Record For First Senior Gold Of Career

The 1:47.89 World junior record in the 200m backstroke also means that Shortt is now also the European junior and European senior championship record holder. Neither the international standards Shortt set nor the title he won today have ever been owned by an Irishman before

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

Day 2:

Gold In 3:54 Gets Gose Past Belmonte’s 12-Year-Old Record But Magdeburg Mate Märtens Is Pipped By Britain’s McMillan

The first titles of the European s/c Championships leave Germany’s Isabel Gose with a title at every international championship level she’s competed at barring the Olympics, and Britain’s Jack McMillan with his first big senior title

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

Wednesday, December 3

U.S. Open gets Underway In Austin

The distance crew, big names in the mix at a time of year when all are in heavy work for the seasons ahead - and therefore far from firing on all cylinders, got the U./S. Open started in Austin, Texas, today. The 1500m top finishers:

Also in the December Vortex:

• Jack McMillan & Duncan Scott Through, Matt Richards Out, As Aussie Legacy Shines On In Euro Waters
• Caspar Corbeau Rattles WR With Dutch 100 Mark To Get Euro S/C Champs Off To Fast Start
• Celebrating the Life of Linda McGill

The SOS Forum for Subscribers:

FORUM: It’s Not The Code That Counts But Its Implementation

In Part 2 of our series looking at what’s retarding swimming’s growth, we consider the governance fortress and the flags of “Integrity” and “transparency” flying for all outside the walls to see and observe, while those on the inside appear to apply different standards to themselves

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

The November Vortex:

The Vortex - November 2025: McEvoy, Ohashi, Matsushita Top Speed Charts At Japan Open

The Vortex, our monthly compilation of news, views & links to external coverage of the sport, is available as part of our offer of free content emailed to those who register. For a deeper dive, consider a paid subscription in support of our work. Thank you

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord