|
 |   |
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE
|  |
Russia take lead in synchro duet
= = SYDNEY, Sept 24 (AFP) - Maria Kisseleva and Olga Brunsnikina's crisp blend of required elements and musical interpretation put them a point clear of the field after the technical routine of the Olympic synchronized swimming duet. The Russian pair's total score of 34.580 included a technical mark of 59.2 out of a possible 60, and an artistic impression of 39.6 out of a possible 40. They received an identical score at the 2000 Olympic qualifying tournament, where they easily captured first place. Miya Tachibana and Miho Takeda of Japan were lying second after the technical programme. Their score of 34.300 included a technical mark of 58.8 and an artistic merit mark of 39.200. France's Virginie Dedieu and Myriam Lignot finished third with 33.997. The United States and Canada, who between them have won every synchro gold and silver since the sport's inclusion in the Olympics in 1984, were fourth and fifth. Scores from the technical routine will count for 35 percent of each pair's final score. The marks will be added to the points from the duet free preliminary routine to determine which duos will swim in the free routine finals. Australia, who only made it into the field by virtue of their host nation status, were wildly cheered by the 8,000-strong crowd. But Irena Olevsky, who with partner Naomi Young finished 16th out of the field of 24, said the clapping throughout their two-minute routine might have hindered them more than it helped. "I don't think it has any effect on the judges, if anything it probably goes against us," she said. "They can't hear the music when the crowd is screaming." And it irritated Cubans Kenia Perez and Yamisleidys Romay, who complained it caused them to lose concentration when they were preparing for their performance. They lobbied unsuccessfully for a re-swim and were lying 18th after the technical routine.
|
