Funchal 2016: Action to look out for on day three

As swimmers firmly settle into the pool on day three (Tuesday, 3 May) of the 2016 IPC Swimming European Championships, there will be no shortage of great racing.

Some athletes have already picked up medals and are certain to be hungry for more.

Here are some of the key events to look out for live from Funchal, Portugal, at Funchal2016.com.

Men’s and women’s 50m freestyle S10

These events feature some of the best non-European swimmers and are always two of the most exciting on the programme.

Russia’s European title holder Dmitry Grigoryev will take on Brazilian world and Paralympic champion Andre Brasil in the men’s. Spain’s David Leveque was also a podium finisher from 2014 whilst another Brazilian, Phelipe Rodrigues, reached second place at the World Championships.

In the women’s Canada’s Aurelie Rivard has gone from a sixth place finish at the Paralympic Games in 2012 to the world champion in 2015. Russian Nina Ryabova’s personal best is just a whisker away from Rivard’s.

Men’s 100m backstroke S14

At the 2015 Worlds, Emeliantsev took Dutchman Marc Evers’s title in an event in which he also holds the Paralympic title. This year, the Russian will be looking to take the European and Paralympic gold from Evers.

The result of this event will be a good indicator of both men’s form. Expect it to be close.

Men’s 200m freestyle S5

World and Paralympic champion Dias is in Funchal to get as much experience of high-level competition as possible before he enters at his home Paralympic Games in September.

Great Britain’s Andrew Mullen, the European champion and Worlds silver medallist behind Dias, will try and edge even closer to his rival as the relative newcomer.

Women’s 100m freestyle S6

Ukraine’s Yelyzaveta Mereshko will have to wait until Rio 2016 to meet the superstar of the women’s S6 again - Great Britain’s multiple Paralympic champion Eleanor Simmonds.

Mereshko will compete in Funchal as the European and new world champion after enjoying an excellent first two seasons on the circuit. In 2016 she is targeting her first Paralympic titles and the Euros will be a good chance to see if she has improved yet again.

The 2016 IPC Swimming European Open Championships run until 7 May.

Morning sessions start at 9:00am (WET) each day, whilst the evening sessions get underway at 5:00pm.

Live updates and behind the scenes content will be posted to @IPCSwimming and IPC Swimming’s Facebook.