World Championships: Showdown Set in 800 Freestyle Between Laure Manaudou and Kate Ziegler

By John Lohn

MELBOURNE, Australia, March 29. SEEKING her third freestyle crown of the World Championships, France's Laure Manaudou was the top qualifier for the final of the 800 freestyle. Already the winner of the 200 and 400 freestyles, with the shorter distance in world-record time, Manaudou managed a prelim effort of 8:25.65 for the 16-lap event.

Manaudou and Natalie Coughlin have established themselves as the female stars of the competition and the Frenchwoman could enhance her profile during tomorrow night's championship final. Manaudou has her eyes focused on the 1989 world record of Janet Evans, which stands at 8:16.22. Manaudou has a personal best of 8:19.29, posted at last summer's European Championships.

The defending champion and winner of the 1500 freestyle earlier in the meet, American Kate Ziegler qualified second in 8:28.11. Ziegler looked comfortable and is also expected to make a run at Evans' world record. The 800 free could turn out to be one of the top showdowns of the week among the women. On her way to gold in the 1500, Ziegler posted history's second-fastest time.

Australia's Kylie Palmer, swimming in the same heat as Ziegler, was third to the final in 8:29.36 while Erika Villaecija of Spain was fourth in 8:29.56. Rounding out the field for the medal race were Japan's Ai Shibata (8:29.58), France's Sophie Huber (8:29.68), the United States' Hayley Peirsol (8:29.82) and South Africa's Wendy Trott (8:31.53).

Click Here to view event results PDF file.

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