FINA Short Course World Championships: Spain Takes 1-2 in Women’s 800 Free

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, December 16. WHAT started as a three-woman race surprisingly became a four-swimmer chase for medals, with Spain taking the top spots on the medal podium in the 800 freestyle.

Erika Villaecija Garcia took the lead at 600 meters to win the gold in 8:11.61. That barely eclipsed her Spanish national record of 8:12.40 set in 2007. Right behind her was teammate Mireira Belmonte Garcia, who earned her third medal in two days, this time a silver medal with a time of 8:12.48. Kate Ziegler tried to respond to Garcia's push in the final 100, settling for bronze with an 8:12.84. That time is still well off her American record of 8:08.00 from 2007.

Lotte Friis had led the race for 600 meters but fell off the pace to finish in fourth with an 8:14.22. Chen Qian (8:16.11), Blair Evans (8:16.52), Chloe Sutton (8:16.54) and Coralie Balmy (8:16.73) also competed in the final.

Race results

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