Older get faster: More sprint world records at Riccione
Payton Jordan, lissen up. Frederico Fischer of Brazil, born in 1917, ran a 38.57 deuce today in Riccione — becoming the first M90 to crash the 40-second barrier. And he did it into a 1.5 mps wind. The listed WR is 40.00 by Italy’s Vittorio Colo in 2002. So Fast Freddie now has two WRs for the meet. And in the M95 final, Friedrich Mahlo of Germany, born in 1912, took down the 57.58 WR by Hawiian-Austrian Erwin Jaskulski in 1999 by scorching a 48.69 — another milestone as the first sub-50.
In other highlights Monday:
Phil Raschker of Georgia won the W60 200 in 28.61 to put her medals suitcase over 50 pounds — incurring extra airline fees.
In the W65 200, Canada’s Carol Lafayette-Boyd ran an amazing 29.66 into a 5 mph wind to again beat world record holder (29.37) Nadine O’Connor of California, who took silver with 29.87. Carol’s time would have won the W55 final!
In the W80 200, American Patricia Peterson took gold with her 44.81.
On the men’s side, Mario Longo of Italy added the 200 gold to his 100 gold in winning the M40 final in 22.26 into a slight wind, just ahead of America’s Robert Thomas in 22.41. U.S. teammate Aaron Thigpen was sixth in 23.11 — well off his season best of 22.07.
In the M45 high jump, Italy’s Marco Segatel took gold with a clearance of 1.98 meters (6-6) and missed three times at 2.01 (6-7). He cleared a WR 2.04 (6-8 1/4) earlier this season to displace the listed WR of 2.00 by American Bruce McBarnette, who took third in Riccione with a jump of 1.87 (6-1 /12) at age 49.
In the M45 200, Bruno Dupuy of France struck gold with his 23.41 and handed American Val Barnwell a rare loss. Val was fourth in 23.75. But in the M50 deuce, Dr. Stephen Peters of Britain returned to form and won in an ever faster 23.21 as Thomas Jones of the USA took fourth in 24.04. M50 100 champion Marty Krulee was seventh in 24.67.
Bill Collins of Houston again completed the 100/200 sweep, claiming the M55 title in 23.76, followed by two Brits and teammate Robert Bowen (24.38).
In the M60 200, Charles Allie added a gold to his 100 silver, winning the final in 24.41 ahead of Aussie Peter Crombie (25.00) and U.S. teammate and former world champion Steve Robbins (25.25).
In the M70 200, Kansan Bob Lida beat another Aussie — Hugh Coogan — 26.80 to 27.62, as U.S. teammate Larry Colbert took fourth in 28.52. Americans Bill Melville and Mel Larsen went 1-2 in the M80 200, clocking 32.08 and 33.13 into a slight breeze.
Tuesday, another rest day, will crown another winner — the host of the 2011 World Masters Athletics Championships. Only Sacramento and Porto Alegre (Brazil) are entered. A vote of the General Assembly should be in by 2 a.m. Pacific time. I’ll report the results when I get ’em.
