.jpg)
For the most comprehensive coverage on the Internet provided by Swimming World, check out the Event Landing Page for recaps, results, photos and videos from Irvine!
IRVINE, California, August 20. IN what has to be her best moment in the pool setting, USA's Chloe Sutton grabbed the gold medal in the women's 400 free at the Pan Pacific Championships. Originally known as an open water star with an Olympic run in that sport in 2008, Sutton has since transitioned into a two-sport crossover swimmer. Tonight, that potential in the pool was realized when Sutton touched first in 4:05.19, cutting more than a second from her personal best of 4:06.33.
Sutton moved up to third in the event this year, behind only Federica Pellegrini (4:03.12) and Rebecca Adlington (4:04.55), and gave the U.S. its ninth win in the event in Pan Pacs history.
Sutton previously took 22nd in the 10K open water event in 2008, and placed as high as eighth in the 1500 free at the 2009 World Championships. On the first night of this meet, she took silver in the 800 free, which was her first international medal of any kind in the pool.
Australia's Katie Goldman finished second in 4:05.84 after charging down the final stretch in an attempt to catch Sutton, while teammate Blair Evans finished third in 4:06.36. USA's Allison Schmitt had been Sutton's biggest rival in the 200-300 meter distance, but faded down the stretch to take fourth in 4:06.73.
New Zealand's Lauren Boyle (4:09.59), Canada's Barbara Jardin (4:11.53), Canada's Alexandra Komarnycky (4:12.67) and Japan's Yurie Yano (4:14.95) rounded out the championship heat.
USA's Kate Ziegler posted a sterling time of 4:05.52 to win the B final, and give the A finalists something to shoot for. Her performance moved her up to the top 10 in the world, but behind Katie Hoff's U.S. National swim of 4:05.50.
Coverage Sponsored by TYR
