Pan Pacific Championships, Irvine, California, day 4:
Women's 1500m Freestyle
The talent and toughness of open water 5km world champion Melissa Gorman (AUS) spilled back into the pool for a 16:01.53 to 16:03.26 victory over world record holder Kate Ziegler (USA). The bronze went to Kristel Kobrich (CHI) in 16:06.57. Ziegler's silver lining included retaining her 2006 championship record of 15:55.01.
Ziegler set the pace, while Gorman built her way steadily into contention and had more left in her tank than the American on the sprint for home.
"I knew she [Ziegler] was ahead of me and that I was getting closer with each lap so I just wanted to keep swimming my race as I had planned,” said Gorman. "To break the Australian record again is fantastic and to do a personal best time is really exciting. Hopefully next time I get to swim the 1500m I can get under that 16 minute barrier."
Trans-Atlantic medals:
- Pan Pacs: 16:01.53; 16:03.26; 16:06.57
- Euro 1-3: 15:59.13; 16:02.08; 16:05.08
Records
Shiny suit era
- WR: 15:42.54 Kate Ziegler (USA) Jun 2007
- ER: 15:44.93 Alessia Filippi (ITA) Jul 2009
February 1 2008
- WR: 15:42.54 Kate Ziegler (USA) Jun 2007
- ER: 15:55.38 Flavia Rigamonti (SUI) Mar 2007
