Swimming great Ian Thorpe continues to lag behind his competitors in his return to the pool.
In the first long-course meet of his comeback, the five-time Olympic champion finished 16th overall Friday in the 100-metre freestyle at the Italian Winter Championships.
Thorpe clocked 50.84 seconds, well behind winner Luca Dotto of Italy's 48.78.
"I did everything wrong that I could have done wrong," Thorpe said, according to the Italian federation. "I need to race more and eventually I'll get up to speed."
Thorpe's fellow Australian James Magnussen won the 100 free in 47.63 at this year's world championships in Shanghai.
Thorpe also struggled at World Cup meets in Singapore, Beijing and Tokyo last month.
He's racing the 200 free - one of his signature events - on Saturday.
AP
