Water Is My World

Today I've read a press release which reports some amazingly quick times in the 100m butterfly at the Trofeo Nicoletti and the Giorgio Armani Swim Meet (yes, you read that right), both in Italy. At the former, Serbian Milorad Cavic - the man who almost stopped Phelps - posted a 50.92 for the race. This man has improved beyond belief. He first represented Yugoslavia in the 2000 Olympic Games, bowing out with a disqualification in the heats. In Athens (2004), he swam for Serbia and Montenegro, achieving 18th place in the event. It wasn't until last year that he really hit his stride, earning a silver medal (which could well have been a gold, depending on what angle you watch the finish from). This year, he's being toted as a real shot for gold at Worlds.

Old favourite Andrew Lauterstein recorded 50.93 at the Giorgio Armani event. You just wonder if these two had been racing each other, what could have happened.
Lauterstein has long been my dream guy. Sure, he's way too young, but I remember meeting him when I was 17 at the Victorian Championships in Melbourne and being rather swept off my feet. In those days he was the golden child of Swimming Victoria, but he now resides on the Gold Coast and turns out for Southport Olympic. Anyway, I shed a tear last year when I saw him on the podium for the 100m fly in Beijing, alongside the aforementioned Cavic and that Phelps guy. He's come a long way, baby. His time tonight was a new Commonwealth record and further proof that Andrew Lauterstein is a name to look out for in Rome later this month.

Proof that occasionally, white boys can be hot too.

So there's two more reasons to get into swimming this month... if you can fit it in around Le Tour schedule.

Peace, love, and hot white boys.