Elena Sokolova rakes Women’s 800m freestyle gold: Day One – 2011 Swimming World Cup, Moscow
Russian freestyle expert, Elena Sokolova displayed her determination for the crown and raked the title of Women’s 800m freestyle on the opening day of the 2011 Swimming World Cup in Moscow, Russia on Tuesday, October 18.
Moscow is the third stage of seven-stop World Cup series planned by the international aquatics sport administering body, Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA).
The 20-year-old Sokolova impressed her fans by overwhelming the fastest qualifying effort of her team-member, Alena Zakurina, who failed to sustain her spot in the final rounds.
Sokolova remained evident for the top spot on podium from the start of the race as she earned a prominent lead over her challengers in the initial 100 metres of the race, clocking a time of 59.15 seconds. She was followed by USA’s Hali Flickinger and Russia’s
Alena Kudryashova, who covered the equivalent distance in 1:01.99 and 1:02.65 minutes, respectively.
The combat continued in the remaining parts of the swim, where the leading Russian swimmer smothered hopes of her competitors. Sokolova kept on extending her lead over her rivals and completed first half of the race in 4 minutes and 07.48 seconds. Subsequently,
Flickinger and Kudryashova completed the same distance in 4:49.71 and 4:24.46 minutes, respectively.
The Russian devastated hopes of her opponents and concluded her swim in a time of 8 minutes and 21.82 seconds for gold medal. With her immaculate efforts, Sokolova remained nearly sixteen seconds ahead of Flickinger, who reached the podium for silver medal
by submitting an effort of 8 minutes and 37.27 seconds.
Similarly, the silver medallist was trailed by Kudryashova, who stayed almost twelve seconds slower than her former finisher and stepped on the victory stand for bronze medal with a timing of 8 minutes and 49.19 seconds.
The gold medallist expressed contentment after claiming the title of the distant freestyle event while the spectators appreciated exhausting efforts of all finalists. Furthermore, the winners were awarded accolades for their irresistible efforts after the
completion of the session
Tags: