British swimmer Keri-Anne Payne defended her World Championship title
earned two years ago in Rome with a commanding, gold medal winning
performance in the Women's 10km open water event in Shanghai today.
Payne took to the top step of another FINA World Championships podium
after leading from the front throughout a 10km course baked by
temperatures of well above 30C and water temperatures of 29C.
Despite the punishing conditions the British Gas GBR swimmer remained
composed and in charge throughout, and even fended off a late charge by
showing a strong and determined kick.
Payne touched in 2.01:58.1 with Italian Martina Grimaldi taking the
silver in 2.01:59.9 and Marianna Lymperta of Greece took the bronze in
2.02:01.8.
An energetic and delighted Payne celebrated her second world title with
her British Gas ITC coach Sean Kelly.
"I'm really please with that," said Payne. "Last year wasn't the best
for me so this is a massive positive and I've also just found out my
sister [Janine] is in labour back in the UK so hopefully it will be a
good day all round.
"The conditions were pretty perfect. Maybe it was a little too sunny as
it was hot out there and I think I'm going to have outlines of the
number '26' on my back where my race numbers were.
"I just tried to make it as easy as I could because I knew that if
someone did attack I would have enough in my legs to defend and
kick-on."
Payne's top 10 finish sees her meet the first stage of the British
Swimming selection policy for the 2012 Olympic Games and qualify herself
for London on the condition that she maintains fitness.
"I'm so happy to have made the top 10 and to achieve qualification for
the home Olympics," Payne commented. "It's an amazing feeling. There is
a massive sense of relief because now I can just concentrate on training
to make sure I'm at my absolute peak in London.
"I have events to swim in the pool schedule next week and then I'll
return home and get straight back into the water and concentrate on my
preparation for 2012."
British Gas ITC Stockport team mate Cassandra Patten finished in 21st
place in a time of 2.02:33.01.
"I gave it my best on the day," said Patten. "I can't ask for anything
more than that."
