Cochrane wins gold at U.S. Grand Prix
February, 14, 2014, ORLANDO – Two-time Olympic medallist Ryan Cochrane of Victoria posted the fifth fastest time in the world this year on Friday to win the men’s 400-metre freestyle at the U.S. Grand Prix swimming competition.
Cochrane’s win highlighted a four-medal day for Canadians.
Cochrane clocked three minutes and 49.83 seconds finishing well ahead of Michael McBroom of the U.S. in second at 3:55.14 and Andres Olvera Alejos of Mexico in third.
“I’ve had an inconsistent season so far, so I was looking forward to this event,” said Cochrane. “To know I was two seconds faster than at this point last year is pretty exciting.”
Two other Canadians were in the final. Eric Hedlin and William Brothers, both of Victoria, were sixth and seventh.
Cochrane felt it was beneficial to build a big lead early.
“It gives you an opportunity to swim your own race and test the things you work on week in, week out,” he said. “There are a lot of great racers in this event and I have to put down the race that’s best for me.”
Other men’s results: Alec Page of Victoria and Hedlin were fourth and eighth in the 200-m butterfly; and James Guest of Pointe-Claire, Que., and Andrew Poznikoff of Burnaby, B.C., were fifth and seventh in the 200-m breaststroke.
Canada collected two more medals in the women’s 200-m butterfly, with Audrey Lacroix of Pont-Rouge, Que., earning the silver in 2:09.47 and Katerine Savard, also of Pont-Rouge, the bronze in 2:10.94. Katinka Hosszu of Hungary won the gold in 2:08.47.
On Thursday, Lacroix and Savard were 1-2 in the 100-m butterfly.
Sandrine Mainville of Montreal added a bronze in the 50-m freestyle clocking 25.72 with Victoria Poon of Montreal fourth in 25.74.
Dominique Bouchard of North Bay, Ont., and Hilary Caldwell of White Rock, B.C., were fourth and fifth in the 100-m backstroke and Canadian national junior team members Alexandra Aitchison and Sydney Pickrem were fifth in the 400-m freestyle and seventh in the 200-m breaststroke.
Full results: http://results.teamunify.com/orgp/
