50 butterfly time estimate

Question
Hi George,

My coach avoids answering this question because he thinks it will have to deep psychological impact: I am a 47 year old masters swimmer, and I just got out of hell week, and am going into taper. During my last taper for provincials we timed our 25s which we swam in YARDS. I was hitting 11.8, but when the meet came I gaffed on the start, and blew the turn, finishing in a 31:78 in S/C METRES. After getting our workload back up to full load later I swam a long course meet and posted a 31.70. Both Electronic timing. Note I feel in long course I carry more speed at 25m than I can generate in a push off, but regardless. As I go into taper I want to know what times I need to be hitting in 25 YARDS that would tell me I have a shot at a sub 30 for A 50 M? Thanks for helping, looking forward to your thoughts......peter

Answer
Peter--If you're hitting under 12 for 25 yards, you're looking great.  You answered your own question, though. You said you were off on your start and your turn was slow, either of those by themselves would put you over :31, but do both and your sunk. If you are competing in a long course pool, you won't have a turn so all you have to worry about is getting off the blocks quickly.
Good Luck,
George