Nicole Turner showed some of her best form this morning as she advanced through to the final of the S6 50m Butterfly as the number one ranked in her event.
Turner, who won the Paralympic silver medal in this event in Tokyo, lead from start to finish in this 50 metre sprint but had competition from her American competitor, Ellie Marks throughout. Turner held off the challenge of the American in the heat and will be aiming to do so again when they compete in this evening’s final at 7:22pm.
Speaking after the race Turner said “To be honest this morning was all about getting those nerves off me, I honestly find the heats way more nerve wracking than the final and that time is the fastest I’ve gone all season so I’m really happy with that.”
Ellen Keane eased into the final of her favoured SB8 Breaststroke event after dominating her heat this morning. The Paralympic Champion took the lead at the turn from Spaniard Dmytriv Dmytriv and never relinquished her grip on the race as she stretched for the wall to progress as the number one ranked swimmer for the final.
Keane had suffered from a Covid infection prior to the World Championships and joined the rest of the team late at their training camp in Fuerteventura, she also pulled out of her Individual Medley event earlier this week to rest up for today’s final. However, she showed little sign of the effects of her illness as she lead the Heat home to ensure that she will race again for a medal for Team Ireland this evening at 5:05pm.
Speaking after the race Keane said “I’ve had a week of rest so I think it was a good idea to pull from the two (200) IM, it paid off, I feel good, so now it’s all about recovering and getting back in later to see if I can make that podium.”
All three Irish athletes will return for their respective finals this evening. Ellen Keane will swim first at 5:05pm, followed by Keane will return for her final along with Róisín Ní Riain who is already through to the 200m Individual Medley final this evening.
Madeira 2022 World Para Swimming Championships Day 7 Heats Results
Day 7- Saturday June 18
Nicole Turner, S6 50m Butterfly Final, 37.52, 1st Place
Ellen Keane, SB8 100m Breaststroke Heat, 1:23.59, 1st Place
Madeira 2022 World Para Swimming Championships Day 7 Finals Schedule
Róisín Ní Riain, SM13 200m Individual Medley Final, 18:28
Nicole Turner, S6 50m Butterfly Final, 19:22
Ellen Keane, SB8 100m Breaststroke Final, 17:05
