Spain wins gold in synchronized swimming at worlds

Spain wins gold in synchronized swimming at worlds

Members of Spain's team compete during the Free Combination Synchronised Swimming Final at the 13th FINA World Swimming Championships in Rome, July 22, 2009. Spain's team won the gold medal with 98.333 points.

ROME, July 22 -- Spain performed a rockin' routine to Led Zeppelin and finally claimed gold in synchronized swimming, winning the free combination at the world championships here on Wednesday.

Taking advantage of Russia's absence, the Spaniards put together a high-energy routine that received scores ranging from 9.7 to 9.9 for a total of 98.333 points. China took the silver with 97.667 and Canada claimed the bronze with 96.167.

The Spaniards fired the crowd up by performing to "Stairway to Heaven", even breaking out a little air guitar on another sweltering day at the Foro Italico.

Members of Spain's team compete during the Free Combination Synchronised Swimming Final at the 13th FINA World Swimming Championships in Rome, July 22, 2009. Spain's team won the gold medal with 98.333 points.

Spain has struggled to get beyond second place in synchro. At the last world championships in Melbourne two years ago, the country earned four silvers and two bronzes, but no gold. It was the same story at the Beijing Olympics, where the Spaniards took silver behind the Russians in both events.

The trend continued in Rome, with Spain settling for silver in the first three events, each time behind Russia. But the sport's dominant nation didn't enter the free combination, finally providing a little drama.

Then again, in a sport where the hierarchy often seems set even before the competition begins, it was to be expected that Spain would take over with Russia on the sideline.

The home Italians had their second fourth-place showing of the championships, losing out to the Canadians by a half-point.

Canada, which was shut out of the medals at the last three world championships, earned its second medal in Rome. Marie-Pier Boudreau-Gagnon won bronze in the solo technical.

Members of China's team compete during the Free Combination Synchronised Swimming Final at the 13th FINA World Swimming Championships in Rome, July 22, 2009. China's team took the silver medal with 97.667 points.

Members of Canada's team wave to the audience after the Free Combination Synchronised Swimming Final at the 13th FINA World Swimming Championships in Rome, July 22, 2009. Canada's team took the bronze medal with 96.167 points.

Members of the Spanish (C), Chinese (L) and Canadian teams pose during the awarding ceremony after the Free Combination Synchronised Swimming Final at the 13th FINA World Swimming Championships in Rome, July 22, 2009. Spain's team won the gold medal with 98.333 points. China's team and Canada's team respectively won the silver medal and bronze medals with 97.667 and 96.167 points.
(Xinhua)