Pan Pacific Championships, Irvine, California, day 3 finals:
Women's 200m Backstroke
The championship record went to Elizabeth Pelton on 2:07.48 in heats, the demands of just making it through driving the need for early speed. Come the final, the name Elizabeth shone twice on the scoreboard but Pelton had to settle for silver behind Beisel, a 400IM champion who had more in her tank in the closing metres on the way to gold in 2:07.83.
Pelton took silver in 2:08.10, holding off a challenge from Belinda Hocking (AUS), on 2:08.60 for bronze. None looked to have quite the smoothness they will need to cope with Brit Elizabeth Simmonds, holder of the best three times in the world this year and European champion in 2:07.24 last week without a full taper.
Beisel was happy with her time an noted "that's a best time without a suit". She has stepped up from trials because she was more rested and was now having fun. "I've been able to relax a little bit more at this meet and have two weeks more of taper."
Trans-Atlantic splits:
- Simmonds: 30.00; 1:01.86; 1:34.35; 2:07.04
- Spofforth: 30.85; 1:03.92; 1:36.24; 2:08.25
- Beisel: 30.36; 1:02.88; 1:35.62; 2:07.83
Trans-Atlantic medals:
- Pan Pacs: 2:07.83; 2:08.10; 2:08.13
- Euro 1-3: 2:07.04; 2:08.25; 2:10.46
Records
Shiny suit era
- WR: 2:04.81 Kirsty Coventry (ZIM) Jul 2009
- ER: 2:04.94 Anastasia Zueva (RUS) Jul 2009
February 1 2008
- WR/ER: 2:06.62 Krisztina Egerszegi (HUN) Aug 1991
