Brits' key relay swims move Roar to the front

30 Oct 2020

Freya Anderson enjoyed a stunning start to her International Swimming League (ISL) 2020 campaign as London Roar took control of a thrilling match five. 

In what looks like being one of the most closely-contested fixtures of the season to date, Roar – led by National Centre Loughborough Lead Coach Mel Marshall – finished Friday’s session in dominant fashion to sit on 283.5 points at the halfway stage, ahead of rivals LA Current (218) and Tokyo Frog Kings (214.5), with DC Trident (163) in fourth.

Anderson was a crucial factor in Roar’s success. The freestyle athlete – who moved from the guidance of Alan Bircher at Ellesmere College Titans to the Bath National Centre earlier this year – made her 2020 ISL bow by swimming the second leg of the Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay. 

After the foundations for victory were laid by Marshall-coached Anna Hopkin, Freya took over from her compatriot and recorded the fastest swim of the London quartet, as they picked up the win and a precious 24 points. 

Only a short mid-session interval and the Men’s 50m Freestyle later, Anderson was back on the blocks for the Women’s 50m Freestyle event – and a brilliant final 25m saw the 2019 World Championship medallist finish second. 

That was before more relay success for Anderson, as she anchored one of London’s teams to 4x100m Medley Relay triumph at the end of the session with a stunning 51.04 split  – a result that ensures they will get to pick the women’s skins event on Saturday.  

Anna Hopkin ISL 2020 London Roar
Anna Hopkin also enjoyed relay success for London Roar

That race also saw impressive efforts from Harriet West and Hopkin, who helped the Roar’s other foursome to secure an important third for the Roar to deny other teams large points.

Adam Peaty was the other British victor in Budapest’s Duna Arena. After winning the Men’s 100m Breaststroke in London’s opening match, Peaty powered to the wall to claim the win in the 50m event this time around – and he will have a chance to make it two from two in his favoured distance tomorrow (Saturday). 

The Olympic, world and European champion then helped Roar to finish second in the Men’s 4x100m Medley Relay in the final action of the afternoon, with Duncan Scott swimming the freestyle leg. 

That result was the second second place of the night for University of Stirling man Scott, who also achieved that result in the 4x100m Freestyle Relay. 

Adam Peaty ISL 2020
Adam Peaty

Aimee Willmott also notched a top-three finish on the day. The Steven Tigg-trained athlete – who reached the ‘podium’ in the Women’s 400m Individual Medley last time out – paced her swim well in the 400m Freestyle, coming back strongly to pick up six points for the Roar. 

Earlier in the night, Luke Greenbank produced a brilliant final 50m in the Men's 200m Backstroke to touch fourth, breaking his own British short-course record in the process.

The fifth match of the campaign will conclude on Saturday, when London will look to make it two wins from two and keep themselves in line for a semi-final place