Defending World Champion James Magnussen kicked off his 2012 season Friday morning in Adelaide with the 100 free. He swam a 48.74 to easily take the top seed in prelims. Not that preliminary comparisons mean a whole lot, but two weeks ago in Austin, American Nathan Adrian was only 48.97 in finals.

Magnussen put two of Australia’s other great sprinters in the dust in the morning, with Matthew Abood taking the 2nd seed in 50.02 and Eamon Sullivan in 3rd in 51.01. Of course, the talent dropped off greatly after those three, so the veterans Abood and Sullivan were likely saving their strength for tonight’s final.

Among other great swims in the morning were a 4:42.30 in the women’s IM from 20-year old Blair Evans. In the men’s 100 fly, Jayden Handler, only 18, took the top seed in 53.86. He also was the top seed in the 200 IM in 2:04.84.

Live results and video feeds available here.