Will we ever see a female Phelpsian performance?

RE: Will we ever see a female Phelpsian performance?

Former Member — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:09:16 GMT

Actually she swam a really good 100 free back in February at the Missouri Grand Prix meet. If she could have gone the same time at Trials it would have placed her fourth ahead of Hardy. So, assuming she could improve enough in the 100 free to get on all 3 relays, what would her schedule have to look like? 100-200-400 frees and 200-400 IM? That would be pretty similar to Phelps' schedule. Or, 200-400-800 frees and both IM's. If she works on 100 free speed, she should probably drop the 800. Then again, I'm guessing she'll decide she doesn't ever want to attack 4-5 individual events again and pick her 3 best. That would still leave her with a potential for 6 golds.

RE: Will we ever see a female Phelpsian performance?

Former Member — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:38:09 GMT

Good stuff. I was just kidding about Bernard and Cavic. Of course, the relay strength is essential. But it's also true that Phelps would have had 6 golds and 2 silvers if not for Bernard's (swimming on Lezak's lane line) and Cavic's (bad finish with head up) mistakes. Hoch's point about only a woman from US or Australia having a legitimate shot is true, I think. That's why I favor Trickett. She could conceivable win all 3 relay golds, plus 50-100-200 free and 100 fly, for a total of 7. The problem is, by 2012 Cate Campbell will probably have passed her by permanently in the 50 and 100. The problem with Hoff winning so many golds is that she doesn't swim 100's. I doubt she would ever be on all 3 relays, unless she becomes top 2 for Americans in the 100 free.

RE: Will we ever see a female Phelpsian performance?

knelson — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:45:13 GMT

The problem with Hoff winning so many golds is that she doesn't swim 100's. I doubt she would ever be on all 3 relays, unless she becomes top 2 for Americans in the 100 free. Actually she swam a really good 100 free back in February at the Missouri Grand Prix meet. If she could have gone the same time at Trials it would have placed her fourth ahead of Hardy.

RE: Will we ever see a female Phelpsian performance?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:40:51 GMT

Katie Hoff tried to have a Phelpsian performance but came up short. I think that she could do it at London. Coughlin could have gotten 8 medals but it doesn't seem that she wants to put the effort into that type of schedule. It just seem that it was like pulling teeth to get her to do the 200 IM. She could have medaled in the 100 fly or maybe 200 fly. No way Coughlin could pull this off. She fades at the end of her 100s. If she swam 17 races she would fare far worse. Coughlin doesn't train for 400s like Phelps and would have nothing left after 4-5 days of racing.

RE: Will we ever see a female Phelpsian performance?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:07:44 GMT

Kristin Otto won 6 gold medals at the 1988 Olympics, I think. We are all just doing a lot of talking for the fun of it - but I strongly object to putting Kristin Otto in the same category than any of the swimmers mentioned in this post. What's next - Marion Jones as the greatest Olympian ? One of the key requirements for a Phelps type of effort are the relays -- only the US or Australia would have any hope to sweep or medal in all the relays. Other than that - I think Phelps has made it more possible for swimmers to challenge in multiple events. In terms of indiv. events, Coventry took medals in 4 - and Hoff certainly has the ability to medal in 5 - Coughlin can't do the schedule, but could medal in at least 4 events. It will be interesting to see what events Stephanie Rice may add - 200 Free / 200 Back ?

RE: Will we ever see a female Phelpsian performance?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:44:10 GMT

This statement is not correct. Shane Gould is one of two swimmers to hold every world freestyle record from 100 meters to 1500 meters simultaneously. Helen Madison in 1931 accomplished this feat also. She also won every available freestyle event at the 1932 Olympics (100 Free, 400 Free, 400 Free Relay). www.ishof.org/.../66hmadison.html thanks frank. i was too young in 1931 to remember that. someone should revise that wikipedia page!

RE: Will we ever see a female Phelpsian performance?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:41:36 GMT

Katie Hoff is still maturing and should be even better in 2012. Coventry and Rice both looked great but I don't know much longer they can hold on to the form. My hope is thes games stoked the fire in Hoff. She's got the stroke versatility to make the schedule.

RE: Will we ever see a female Phelpsian performance?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:19:16 GMT

Do you mean his relay mates or Bernard and Cavic? You're right about Shane Gould--3 individual gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze in 1972. No relay medals for Australia. Add some relay medals in there and it's quite a haul. She was only 16. How many medals might she have won if she had swum in 2 more Olympic Games? i was referring to his relay mates. also note: no 1500 for women in 1972

RE: Will we ever see a female Phelpsian performance?

knelson — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:19:10 GMT

Helen Madison in 1931 accomplished this feat also. She also won every available freestyle event at the 1932 Olympics (100 Free, 400 Free, 400 Free Relay). Helene Madison, actually. She was from Seattle and the closest pool to my house is named for her! Katie Hoff is still maturing and should be even better in 2012. Coventry and Rice both looked great but I don't know much longer they can hold on to the form. Rice is only 20. Almost exactly one year older than Hoff.

RE: Will we ever see a female Phelpsian performance?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:18:03 GMT

Me personally...I think Hoff is one of the best all around female swimmers... just don't think she was quite ready for the type of schedule she swam..... 2012 should be interesting to watch Ditto. She will know what to work on for the next 4 years. Now that Bowman is back...

RE: Will we ever see a female Phelpsian performance?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:36:44 GMT

Kristin Otto won 6 gold medals at the 1988 Olympics, I think.

RE: Will we ever see a female Phelpsian performance?

Frank Thompson — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:32:56 GMT

don't forget to give credit to the other swimmers that made phelps' gold rush possible. he owes those guys big time. shane gould didn't have that kind of support, but did hold every freestyle record from the 100 to 1500 simultaneously...... from wiki: She is the only person, male or female, to hold every world freestyle record from 100 m to 1500 m simultaneously, and the first female swimmer ever to win three Olympic gold medals in world record time. pretty damn impressive as long as you're asking. This statement is not correct. Shane Gould is one of two swimmers to hold every world freestyle record from 100 meters to 1500 meters simultaneously. Helen Madison in 1931 accomplished this feat also. She also won every available freestyle event at the 1932 Olympics (100 Free, 400 Free, 400 Free Relay). www.ishof.org/.../66hmadison.html

RE: Will we ever see a female Phelpsian performance?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:28:18 GMT

don't forget to give credit to the other swimmers that made phelps' gold rush possible. he owes those guys big time. Do you mean his relay mates or Bernard and Cavic? You're right about Shane Gould--3 individual gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze in 1972. No relay medals for Australia. Add some relay medals in there and it's quite a haul. She was only 16. How many medals might she have won if she had swum in 2 more Olympic Games?

RE: Will we ever see a female Phelpsian performance?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:08:58 GMT

RE: Will we ever see a female Phelpsian performance?

Former Member — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:57:19 GMT

Me personally...I think Hoff is one of the best all around female swimmers... just don't think she was quite ready for the type of schedule she swam..... 2012 should be interesting to watch

RE: Will we ever see a female Phelpsian performance?

knelson — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 06:14:07 GMT

Me personally...I think Hoff is one of the best all around female swimmers... just don't think she was quite ready for the type of schedule she swam I don't think the schedule was the problem, she just didn't have a good meet. She was beaten convincingly by Rice and Coventry on the very first day of finals, after all.

RE: Will we ever see a female Phelpsian performance?

tjrpatt — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:55:55 GMT

RE: Will we ever see a female Phelpsian performance?

Jeff Commings — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:14:59 GMT

Natalie Coughlin one-upped Libby Trickett to win six medals.