THE times on which swimmers are entered for major events, such as this weekend's Leisureland international meet in Salthill, can be confusing for the unsuspecting forecaster. On the evidence of the official programme, Michelle Smith would not be assured of a double success over 100 metres IM band 200 metres freestyle.
The instant retort to published guide times, by the IASA's official recorder Sean Gordon, represents the more sensible approach - "expect the unexpected," he says.
For Sunday's 200 metres free style Smith is entered on a time of 2:03.00, just under a second adrift of Dutch entry Patricia Stokkers. It's not clear at this stage if Stokkers can go any faster while it is accepted that Smith is capable of going 1:58 for the short course distance.
Smith is a clear programme favourite (1:02.70) to take Saturday's 100 metres IM from Hamburg entries Frauke Gauglitz and Antje Holst.
Conversely, the entry times suggest that 21 year old Gina Galligan, left out of the Olympics and currently in the process of a comeback to top form, could make a final place in the 100m IM. It depends largely on how she compares with the challenges of Britain's Kathy Osher, Wilma Van Hofwegan (Holland) and, indeed, Cork's Lee Kelleher, on the day. Galligan, of course, will be poised for a medal or two of her forte events at 50 and 100m breaststroke.
Van Hofwegan is currently ranked 12th in the world at 50 metres butterfly (short course). A gala ambition for Kelleher and Niamh Cawley of Claremorris would be to shape up well against Ealing's Kathy Osher.
Ireland's Nick O'Hare figures in better light and indeed would be favourite ahead of Olympian 100 metres champion Jon Olsen at 50m with an entry time of 22.70 seconds.
On the other hand, O'Hare's listed 50.70 for the 100m may not be good enough for him to qualify for the six lane decider which Olsen is set to make his own.
While US Olympian Gary Hall is ruled through a knee injury sustained while playing basketball, Britain's popular Olympian Martin Harris is poised to make his presence felt. The fact that Brian Van Haandel is also among the backstrokers means that Ireland's O'Connor brothers, Olympian Adrian and Hugh, will be facilitated with a rare opportunity of topclass oppositions in home, waters.
