Pan Pacific Championships: Moesha Johnson Swims Away with Open Water Crown
Australia’s Moesha Johnson went to the front early in Monday’s 10-kilometer swim at the Pan Pacific Championships.
She made a mockery of it late.
The Olympic silver medalist was in control most of the way, then made a move with two turns left on the final lap of six to pull away and easily win the race at Long Bay Marine Stadium.
The Aussie touched the pad more 26 seconds up on the field, in 1 hour, 55 minutes and 33 seconds.
Japanese swimmers fought it out for second, with Airi Ebina making a move in the final 200 meters to best countrywoman Ichika Kajimoto for second by about eight seconds. They were the only two Japanese swimmers among the 23 entered in the race.
American Becca Mann touched in fourth, then Jacqueline Davison-McGovern rounded out the lead back, the Australian fifth.
Where the men’s race earlier in the day went back and forth with a larger group, a select detachment of five formed early in the fourth lap of five to contest the medals.
Johnson was never far from the head of that group, and when she put the foot down in the final lap of six, no one could stick with her long. She was at the wall before anyone else had entered the 50-meter finishing straight in 77 degree waters of the Pacific.
Johnson, 28, continues a stellar run of form. She won gold in the 5k and 10k races at the World Championships in Singapore last year after taking silver in Paris.
Behind the lead pack, came a group of Americans. Olympian Mariah Denigan led them into the wall, 2:27 behind Davison-McGovern. Ashley Twichell, Katie Grimes and Brinkleigh Hansen comprised that group in spots six through nine.
Pan Pacific Championships Women’s 10-kilometer results
- Moesha Johnson, Australia, 1:55:33
- Airi Ebina, Japan, 1:55:59
- Ichika Kajimoto, Japan, 1:56:07
- Becca Mann, USA, 1:56:15
- Jacqueline Davison-McGovern, Australia, 1:56:17
- Mariah Denigan, USA, 1:58:44
- Ashley Twichell, USA, 1:58:51
- Katie Grimes, USA, 1:59:04
- Brinkleigh Hansen, USA, 1:59:04
- Callan Lotter, South Africa, 1:59:12
