Olympics, Open Water: Larisa Ilchenko Uses Final Surge to Claim Inaugural Women’s 10K Gold
BEIJING, China, August 20. LARISA Ilchenko of Russia proved just why she's the best tactician in the sport today. While Keri-Anne Payne and Cassandra Patten of Great Britain led for the bulk of the race, Ilchenko was in front when it truly mattered during the women's 10K open water event in Beijing.
With 150 meters to go, Ilchenko surged past Payne and Patten on the right side of the pack to claim the gold medal. Ilchenko captured gold in 1:59:27.7, while Payne slapped the pad for silver in 1:59:29.2. Patten grabbed bronze in 1:59:31.0, holding off a hard charging Angela Maurer of Germany (1:59.31.9).
Early in the race, American Chloe Sutton was in good position with the lead pack, but about halfway through the 10K competition, she wound up being stuck in the middle of the pack and could not disengage. She ended up taking 22nd place in 2:02:13.6.
Natalie du Toit of South Africa, who is also a Paralympian with one leg, claimed 16th overall in 2:00:49.9, while former open water swimmer of the year Edith van Dijk of the Netherlands earned 14th in 2:00:02.8.
RNK Bib Ctr Name Final Time Final Diff
1 12 ILCHENKO Larisa 1:59:27.7
2 21 PAYNE Keri-Anne 1:59:29.2 +1.50
3 2 PATTEN Cassandra 1:59:31.0 +3.30
4 18 MAURER Angela 1:59:31.9 +4.20
5 1 CUNHA Ana 1:59:36.8 +9.10
6 15 OBERSON Swann 1:59:36.9 +9.20
7 20 OKIMOTO Poliana 1:59:37.4 +9.70
8 16 PECHANOVA Jana 1:59:39.7 +12.00
9 6 del Valle PINTO PEREZ Andreina 1:59:40.0 +12.30
10 24 GRIMALDI Martina 1:59:40.7 +13.00
11 17 LYMPERTA Marianna 1:59:42.3 +14.60
12 8 ZUPAN Teja 1:59:43.7 +16.00
13 4 REQUENA Yurema 1:59:46.9 +19.20
14 25 van DIJK Edith 2:00:02.8 +35.10
15 14 GORMAN Melissa 2:00:33.6 +1:05.90
16 23 du TOIT Natalie 2:00:49.9 +1:22.20
17 22 INACIO Daniela 2:00:59.0 +1:31.30
18 3 BERGLUND Eva 2:01:05.0 +1:37.30
19 9 Yanqiao FANG 2:01:07.9 +1:40.20
20 10 MARTINEZ Imelda 2:01:07.9 +1:40.20
21 11 MULLER Aurelie 2:02:04.1 +2:36.40
22 19 SUTTON Chloe 2:02:13.6 +2:45.90
23 13 SAMORODINA Natalya 2:10:41.6 +11:13.90
24 5 BOGARIN Antonella 2:11:35.9 +12:08.20
7 KOBRICH Kristel DNF