All six athletes Irish swimmers and divers in action advanced through from the morning rounds as Swim Ireland continued to put on a show in Belgrade.
Newly crowned European gold medallist Danielle Hill posted 1:00.62 in the 100m Backstroke heat to move through the round as the fastest seed, having set the emotion of last night’s success.
Speaking after this morning’s heat, Hill said: “I’m really happy, my mission coming into today was could I park the emotion of last night, get back in this morning and be on it again. That swim is impressive especially with the emotion of last night.”
The race was tight, changing hands six times within the last 50 metres between Hill and Hanna Rosvall of Sweden, who finished two-tenths of a second behind the Larne swimmer.
Hill went into these championships hoping to polish up her technique of racing throughout the day as she hopes to advance into the latter stages of the Olympic Games in Paris next month.
She added: “When I get to Paris, it will be a case of can I make it to the next round, I’m learning how to swim in the morning and go through the processes. The process for Paris will be can I make it through the next round, and we go from there. I’m really happy with that and we look forward to tonight.”
Lottie Cullen will join Hill tonight in the 100m Backstroke semi-final after she posted 1:02.54 placing tenth in what is her favoured event.
Following her heat swim, Cullen said: “I’m feeling good, it was a good morning swim for me, I’m excited to be back tonight and hopefully go faster.
“I just want to try be out fast, the first 50 is important, as usually in the morning I’m a bit slower down the first length so it’s important that I lift my rate and catch water.”
Cullen will swim in her third semi-final at these European championships, which is her maiden appearance donning the Irish cap.
Fermanagh native Ellie McCartney continued to impress as she came through the 200m Individual Medley heat in a time of 2:16.66 to advance to the semi-final.
McCartney will head to the blocks twice in quick succession this evening for both the 200m Breaststroke Final and 200m Medley Semi-Final.
Speaking in the mixed zone, McCartney said: “I feel good, this morning was just a case of getting the job done and making sure I didn’t exert too much energy as I’ve got the 200 Breast final and 200 Medley semi, it turned out to be one of my fastest heat swims, so I’m happy enough.
The aim is to get better through the rounds, it will be tough doing both but it’s about now getting into the cool-down pool and doing all the right recovery strategies to give myself the best chance tonight.”
Jack Cassin of the National Centre, Limerick, made his first individual appearance at a senior international meet for Ireland in the 200m Butterfly heats, qualifying for the semis in 14th place.
Cassin, who came home in a personal best of 1:59.05, said: “I’m super happy, I didn’t get the opportunity to swim yesterday (due to illness). It’s a personal best for me, I didn’t necessarily do what I wanted to do at Trials (in May), so I’m happy for another opportunity to show who I am.”
He added: “It’s been such a good opportunity for me, I’m racing against people from all over Europe.
“I feel so fortunate to be part of this team, I have such a good support system around me and I think that is a reason why I was able to recover so quickly and show who I am this morning.”
In Diving, Clare Cryan secured a spot in her second final of this championship this morning.
Cryan scored 239.75 to place sixth in the 3m Springboard with best dive coming in the fourth round with 55.50 points.
The 3m Springboard final will get underway today at 4.15pm (IRL).
Nathan Wiffen, brother of world championship winner Daniel Wiffen from Magheralin, Co Down, brought the morning session to a close with a strong performance in the 1500 Freestyle heat in 15:10.01, qualifying for the Final tomorrow evening.
Wiffen, alongside Hungarian Zalan Sarkany, dominated the heat to secure a place in the final a full 21.93 seconds ahead of his next competitor.
Wiffen said: “The pool water has cooled down, which is good. I seem to have recovered well from my 800 Final and I’m looking forward to the final tomorrow.”
Meanwhile in Rome, at the Sette Colli Meet, Nathan’s brother and world champion, Daniel Wiffen, impressed in the 400m Freestyle heat, clocking 3:48.42 to advance to the Final as the fastest qualifier.
He was joined at the meet by three other Irish athletes, Darragh Greene, Max McCusker and Tom Fannon, who all progressed to Finals as well, which take place later this evening.
