Rome 2009, Day 8

Women's 400m medley heats

Stephanie Rice (AUS), Olympic champion, led the way in the 400m medley heats, her 4:34.62 the quickest qualification swim of her life (0.01sec inside Beijing 2008). She wore a Jaked01 and said she can't wait for January 1, 2010 to arrive. No more 40min dress rehearsals, no more worrying if water will get trapped in a pocket and pull you back (it happens), no more worrying about whether the suit will rip. 

Next through was Elizabeth Beisel on 4:34.80, followed by Katinka Hosszu (HUN) on 4:35.15. Olympic silver medallist Kirsty Coventry (ZIM) went through in  7th on 4:36.42. 

Katie Hoff's 4:38.21, fastest in Melbourne heats, would not have made the Rome cut.

Rome 2009

• Top 8 through: 4:34.62 - 4:37.47
• Inside 4:35: 2
• Inside 4:37: 7
• Inside 4:40: 12
• Inside 4:45: 22

Melbourne 2009

• Top 8 through:  4:38.21 - 4:44.34
• Inside 4:35: 0
• Inside 4:37: 0
• Inside 4:40: 1
• Inside 4:45: 9