Kathleen Ledecky finishes first in Women’s 800m freestyle: Day three – 2012 Missouri Grand Prix
Kathleen Ledecky of Curl Burke Swim won the hearts of arena by finishing first in the Women’s 800m freestyle on third day of the 2012 Missouri Grand Prix at the University of Missouri Aquatic Center on Sunday, February 12.
Missouri is the third stop of seven-stage 2011-2012 USA Grand Prix Series, which provides a chance to international swimmers to compete with each other in their exclusive events.
The 14-year-old Ledecky remained unimaginably away from her fellow competitors and became the spotlight of arena by clinching gold medal of the event.
With her smothering efforts, she gained a wonderful lead over her challengers in the first two rounds, where she posted a time of 2 minutes and 04.86 seconds. She was trailed by Leah Smith of Jewish Community, who stayed almost three seconds slower from her and covered the equivalent distance in a time of 2 minutes and 07.97 seconds.
Ledecky continued her smothering efforts in the next two rounds, where she accelerated her speed and concluded her first half with an effort of 4 minutes and 13.95 seconds. She was followed by 16-year-old Smith, who remained almost seven seconds apart and ended her initial 400 metres of the swim with the timing of 4 minutes and 20.91 seconds.
The Curl Burke veteran sustained her pace in the subsequent rounds and posted an effort of 6 minutes and 23.30 seconds for the initial 600 metres of the race. She extended her lead to almost nine seconds over Smith, who enveloped the same distance in 6 minutes and 32.39 seconds.
Ledecky continued her nerve-wrecking form in the final 200 metres of the race, where she showed no mercy to her challengers and hit the wall with an effort of 8 minutes and 30.14 seconds for gold medal. She was chased by Smith, who won silver medal of the event in a time of 8 minutes and 39.52 seconds.
Chloe Sutton of Mission Viejo emerged on the podium for third position and clocked a time of 8 minutes and 41.65 seconds.
Furthermore, the winners were awarded accolades after the completion of session.
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