Thorpe makes sizzling return

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IAN Thorpe earned a world top three ranking in the 200m freestyle tonight with a sizzling performance at the NSW swimming titles at Sydney Olympic Park.

Thorpe, who was contesting his first major long course meet in 16 months since the Athens Olympics, was a convincing winner.

The 23-year-old Sydneysider clocked 1m46.20s to win by over four seconds from defending champion Kenrick Monk (1m50.41s).

The final place on the podium was claimed by Nick Ffrost (Ffrost) 1m50.77s, just ahead of AIS teammate Michael Klim (1.50.86s).

The only superior times in a major competition this year were recorded by American Michael Phelps (1m45.27s) and Australian Grant Hackett (1m46.14s) – the top two at the world championships.

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Thorpe recorded a time of 1m49.94s in his heat this morning and appeared to be cruising in both of his appearances.

The first dual winner of the three-day meet was AIS swimmer Tarnee White, who won the 50m breast-stroke (31.48s) and later backed up to take the 200m breast-stroke in 1m08.56s.

White, however, benefited from the withdrawal of the fastest qualifier for both finals, AIS teammate Jade Edmistone, who hurt her groin in the warm up for tonight’s event.

Earlier today, Edmistone set an Australian all comers record of 30.66s, just 0.21 of a second outside her own world record.

Sydneysider Elka Graham maintained her strong recent comeback from a hip injury by winning the women’s 200m freestyle in 2m01.34s.

Graham just overhauled AIS swimmer Alice Mills 2m01.83s who improved her morning performance by 2.68 seconds after just claiming the last place in the final.