15-Year-Old Fairweather Notches 2Free PB To Lead-Off Tokyo Qualifying NZ Relay

2019 FINA WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

New Zealand is still seeking its first finalist here at the 2019 World Championships, but at least day 5 brought a Tokyo 2020 relay qualification in the form of the women’s 4x200m free.

The combination of Erika FairweatherCarina DoyleChelsey Edwards, and Eve Thomas collectively clocked a time of 8:03.28 to finish 10th out of the heats. The top 12 finishing teams in each relay category automatically qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo next year.

Splits for the women this morning include a 1:58.84 for Fairweather, 2:00.92 for Doyle, 2:01.88 for Edwards and 2:01.64 for Thomas. For Fairweather, the teen’s sub-1:59 outing established a new lifetime best and New Zealand Age Record for 15-year-olds.

She was 1:59.37 at the New Zealand Championships in June and put up a time of 1:59.68 for 19th in the individual event earlier here in Gwangju. As such, this morning’s lead-off represents the teen’s first-ever outing under 1:59.

For perspective, Fairweather’s 1:58.84 this morning would check the Kiwi in as the 9th fastest American 15 and 16-year-old performer in history.

Fairweather also competed in the women’s 400m free on morning 1 here in Gwangju, finishing 17th in a time of 4:12.30, although she was much faster in April at the aforementioned NZ Championships with a lifetime best there of 4:09.33.

Oceanic Swimming Medal Table Through Day 5:

RANK NATION GOLD SILVER BRONZE TOTAL
2  Australia 4 4 3 11

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About Retta Race

Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having just earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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