example-image
Connect with Us:  

Hurd Swims To World Championship Berth At Spring Nationals

Mar 14, 2001

Courtesy Swimming Canada
EDMONTON - Andrew Hurd of Oakville, Ont., one of Canada's brightest young stars, qualified for the world championship team and neared the Canadian record in the men's 800-metre freestyle Tuesday at the 2001 Spring Nationals swimming competition

The competition is the team trial for the world aquatic championships July 22-29 at Fukuoka, Japan. The top-two in each race, provided they meet a pre-determined time standard, make the team. The standards are based on the 16th fastest time at the 2000 Olympics.

Hurd, 18, clocked eight minutes and 00.72 to beat the qualifying standard of 8:05.94 and just missed the Canadian record of 8:00.22 set in 1980 by Chris Bowie of Toronto. Tim Peterson of Vancouver was second in 8:15.31 and Kurtis MacGillivary of Waterloo, Ont., third in 8:19.06.

The 800 is usually not a regular event in the men's program however it was added to the world championship schedule.

"This was the first time I ever raced it," said Hurd, who swam the 1,500 at the Olympics. "It felt more like a sprint than a long distance race. My strategy was to start fast. To get the world championship spot out of the way is great. My 1,500 has not been up to par of late because I've been concentrating a lot on school this year."

Tamee Ebert of Vancouver won the women's 1,500 freestyle, also a new world championship event, but was short of the qualifying team. Danielle Bell of Victoria was second and Lindsay Beavers of Orangeville, Ont., third.

Vancouver's Pacific Dolphins Club won both the men's and women's 4X200 freestyle relays.

Competition continues through to Saturday.