Great Britain Wins 800 Free Relay For First Time in History at 2015 FINA World Championships

Photo Courtesy: R-Sport / MIA Rossiya Segodnya

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Great Britain’s relay team made history by winning the 800-meter free relay for the first time ever, ending the USA’s five-meet winning streak in the event. Daniel Wallace (1:47.04), Robert Renwick (1:45.98), Calum Jarvis (1:46.57) and James Guy (1:44.74) turned in a combined 7:04.33 to claim the gold medal and move to the top of the 2015 world rankings. An impressive anchor leg from Guy secured the win as he overtook Michael Weiss of the USA to close the race.

Not only does this mark the first time Great Britain has won the event at the World Championships but the group of four also set a new British record in the event replacing the 2009 record of 7:05.67. Renwick was also a member of the 2009 relay, leading off for Robert Bale, David Carry and Ross Davenport.

The USA relay team led for the first three legs of the race with Ryan Lochte (1:45.71), Conor Dwyer (1:45.33) and Reed Malone (1:46.92) all turning in quick splits. Weiss’ split of 1:46.79 was not a bad split, there was just no stopping Guy from getting to the wall. Combined the USA finished in 7:04.75 for the silver medal.

Australia’s Cameron McEvoy (1:46.46), David McKeon (1:47.05), Daniel Smith (1:46.38) and Thomas Fraser-Holmes (1:45.45) turned in a time of 7:05.34 for the bronze medal. Although Grant Hackett did not swim the relay in finals, because he was part of the relay in prelims he will still receive a medal for his swim earning him his fifth medal in the event (gold in 1998, 2001, & 2003; bronze in 2005 & 2015).

Russia finished fourth overall with a 7:06.89, separating themselves from the pack with a 2.12 second difference between the final finishers.

Germany claimed fifth with a time of 7:09.01, while Belgium earned themselves sixth overall with a 7:09.64 finish.

The Netherlands (7:09.75) and Poland (7:10.34) finished seventh and eighth respectively.

Scheduled Events

Women’s 100 Free (Finals)
Men’s 200 Back (Finals)
Women’s 200 Back (Semis)
Men’s 50 Free (Semis)
Women’s 200 Breast (Finals)
Men’s 100 Fly (Semis)
Women’s 50 Fly (Semis)
Men’s 200 Breast (Finals)
Men’s 800 Free Relay (Finals)
Men’s 50 Free (Swim-Off)

2015 FINA World Championships Finals, Day 6 – Results

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Peter Scott

8 years ago

GB men’s team now top of the world in swimming!!! Great stuff!!! Well done guy’s and Guy!!!! 🙂

Peter Scott

8 years ago

GB men’s team now top of the world in swimming!!! Great stuff!!! Well done guy’s and Guy!!!! 🙂

James Tebbett

8 years ago

Well done guys!!! I still wish to this day it could have been me too. Thank you for making my dreams your reality.

Richard Pointon

8 years ago

Reply to James Tebbett

To be honest James I really believe it could of been you . One of the best swimmers I saw at Northsea

James Tebbett

8 years ago

Reply to James Tebbett

Thanks Richard. That means a lot coming from you!

commonwombat

8 years ago

The best team on the night won …. and deservedly so. This DID look a distinctly “non-vintage” USA outfit and if they were ever going to be “rolled”; this was the year. GBR was the team with swimmers on top form at this meet and took their chance.

This defeat will most certainly “sting” the US and it should be a much more formidable & switched-on line-up in Rio. A number of Euro nations who disappointed in Kazan are likely to have their acts far more together next year.

Having said that, I can’t see GBR resting on their laurels and I would expect them to be definite contenders, at least for a medal. AUS, on the other hand, were distinctly “flattered” by their bronze and will need a major step-up & injection of talent to be competitive in Rio

Maharookh Bilimoria

8 years ago

Amazing swims!!!!

Ty Zylstra

8 years ago

Its the United Kingdom yall get it right