Natalie Coughlin pockets Women’s 100m backstroke gold: Day three - Santa Clara Grand Prix
Natalie A Coughlin of California Aquatics pocketed gold medal of the Women’s 100m backstroke on day three of the 2012 Santa Clara International Grand Prix in California on Sunday, June 3.
Santa Clara International is the final stop of the seven-stage 2012 USA Swimming Grand Prix Series that allows the American swimmers to race with the best of the world before the 2012 London Olympic Games.
The 29-year-old Coughlin smothered her opponents with her blistering form in double lap backstroke discipline.
Her quickest response to the start placed her considerably ahead of her challengers and she ended her first lap with the timing of 29.37 seconds.
She remained 1.21 seconds faster from Fernanda Gonzalez Ramirez of Mexico, who covered the equivalent distance with the timing of 30.58 seconds.
Subsequently, Madison M White of Crow Canyon Country Club remained prominent for third finest spot of the event as she ended her initial half of the race by submitting a time of 30.87 seconds.
The same continued in second half, where Coughlin elevated her pace and succeeded in enhancing her lead by ending her race with the timing of 1 minute and 00.83 seconds for gold medal.
Her strongest competitor, Gonzalez remained 1.31 seconds slower from her and clocked a time of 1 minute and 02.14 seconds for silver medal of the discipline.
The silver medallist was followed by 17-year-old White, who failed to make a significant improvement in her pace and settled on the finishing blockade as third position holder by producing a time of 1 minute and 02.30 seconds.
The bronze medallist was chased by Cindy Tran of Una Cal-PC, who remained 0.26 seconds apart and tapped the finishing blockade with the timing of 1 minute and 02.56 seconds for fourth position.
Subsequently, fifth position of the discipline was secured by Stephanie Au Hoi Shun of Hong Kong, who suffered a deficit of one body length from her preceding swimmer and clocked a time of 1 minute and 03.42 seconds.
Furthermore, the position holders received medals and accolades for their notable efforts at the prize distribution ceremony of the championship.
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