Ryan Lochte Collects Two More Victories in Day Six of Competition
Friday, July 29, 2011 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Ryan Lochte continued to collect gold medals in Shanghai with two World Championship performances on Thursday in both the 200-meter backstroke and as a member of the 4x200-meter freestyle relay, bringing his victory total to four. With two days of competition remaining and at least one event left to swim, Lochte has five medals in all, with wins in the 200 free and 200 individual medley earlier this week and a bronze in the 4x100 free relay.
Fresh off his gold-medal, world-record-setting performance in the 200 IM on Thursday, Lochte led the pack from start to finish in the 200 back to capture the victory in 1:52.96.
In the final event of the night, Lochte and teammates Michael Phelps, Peter Vanderkaay and Richard Berens swam to gold in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay in 7:02.67. Lochte, who did not compete in the prelims of the event in which the U.S. team also clocked the best time, anchored the U.S. team in the finals with the fastest split, 1:44.56, to propel his team past France and secure the victory.
Florida junior Sebastien Rousseau swam the last leg in the 4x200 freestyle relay for South Africa, swimming a 1:49.15 split to lead his team to a 12th place finish in the field.
Sophomore Elizabeth Beisel, one of four Gators swimming on the U.S. National Team, took to the pool in her first competition at this year's World Championships in the 200-meter backstroke. Representing the Orange and Blue, Beisel finished third in the semifinals, touching in 2:07.82 to move on to tomorrow night's final. Beisel's time, second best in UF history, marks a new career-best.
Former UF swimmer Stephanie Proud, swimming for Great Britain, was also in the field for the 200 back. Clocking in at 2:10.57, Proud finished 13th overall.
Swimming for Cayman, brothers Brett and Shaune Fraser wrapped up competition in Shanghai on Friday. Brett finished the 50-meter freestyle in 22.65 to take 25th in the field, while Shaune touched in 54.19 in the 100-meter butterfly to finish 38th overall.
The 14th FINA World Championships continue Saturday. Morning sessions are scheduled to take place from 9-11:30 a.m. local time in Shanghai (9-11:30 p.m. ET), while finals are slated for 6-8:10 p.m. (6-8:10 a.m. ET). Gator fans can get complete 2011 FINA World's coverage through OMEGA Timing by visiting their website here. For more information about the 14th annual FINA World Championships please click here.
Fans in the United States can follow all the action from the World Championships on NBC and Universal Sports. NBC will broadcast the final two days of the meet on July 30 and 31 from 1-3 p.m. ET. Universal Sports will broadcast the remainder of the competition (July 25-27) from 8-10 p.m. ET each night. A webcast of the World Championships will also be available online at www.universalsports.com.
EVENING SESSION RESULTS
Men's 200-meter backstroke (finals)
Ryan Lochte (United States), 1st, 1:52.96
Women's 200-meter backstroke (semifinals)
Elizabeth Beisel (United States), 3rd, 2:07.82 (advances to finals)
Stephanie Proud (Great Britain), 13th, 2:10.57
Men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay (finals)
Ryan Lochte, Michael Phelps, Peter Vanderkaay, Richard Berens (United States), 1st, 7:02.67, 1:44.56 split
MORNING SESSION RESULTS
Men's 50-meter freestyle
Brett Fraser (Cayman), 25th, 22.65
Men's 100-meter butterfly
Shaune Fraser (Cayman), 38th, 54.19
Women's 200-meter backstroke
Elizabeth Beisel (United States), 3rd, 2:08.40 (advances to semifinals)
Stephanie Proud (Great Britain), 15th, 2:10.65 (advances to semifinals)
Men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay
Sebastien Rousseau , Darian Townsend, Jean Basson, Jan Venter (South Africa), 12th, 6.81, 1:49.15 split
