Women’s 800 Free FINAL:
Leah Smith and Ashley Twichell of Team USA jumped to an early lead in the women’s 800 free final and never looked back. The duo kept pace beneath the world record for the first 200 meters, before slipping off by the halfway point. That didn’t stop the duo from finishing well ahead of the competition as they earned Team USA’s first 1-2 finish of the Championships.
Smith powered to first with a final time of 8:10.17, finishing just off her new American Record of 8:07.67.
Twichell stuck with Smith throughout the duration of the race, finishing second with a time of 8:11.95 – a personal best for her.
Australia’s Kiah Melverton and Ariarne Titmus held pace with each other for the third and fourth place spots with Melverton earning the spot on the podium with a time of 8:16.51. Titmus finished fourth overall with a final time of 8:17.95.
Zhang Yuhan of China turned in a time of 8:21.05 for fifth, followed by Argentina’s Delfina Pignatiello and her time of 8:26.41.
Canada’s Olivia Anderson and Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu were seventh and eighth respectively with times of 8:30.16 and 8:36.76.
Congratulations Leah