Spain leads after first day of duet competition

Chinese twins Jiang Tingting and Jiang Wenwen

(BEIJING, April 16) -- The Spanish duet of Gemma Mengual and Andrea Fuentes lead the duet competition of the 2008 Olympic Games Synchronized Swimming Qualification Tournament after a superior technical routine at the Beijing National Aquatics Center on Wednesday.

Mengual and Fuentes executed their routine well, asserting themselves as medal favorites and starting their Olympic qualification campaign with an impressive score of 48.667.

The Spanish routine, performed to traditional Russian music, showcased the precision and synchronization of the duet that was unable to be matched by Japan's Saho Harada and Emiko Suzuki, who finished in second position with 47.917 points.

Mengual, who usually swims with partner Paola Tirados (ESP), showed that she was not affected by the shoulder injury she was seen icing heavily after the afternoon practice session on Tuesday.

Harada and Suzuki performed a dynamic routine highlighted by strong boosts and impressive leg extensions, but will need to better their execution in the duet free routine on Friday, April 18, if they intend to put up a fight for the gold medal.

Chinese twins Jiang Tingting and Jiang Wenwen began their lively routine with an elegant pose on the platform, but were penalized 1.000 for exceeding the time limit allowed in this position. Competitors are allowed no more than ten seconds on the platform before they enter the water.

The Chinese duet, who finished in third place with a score of 47.750, would have finished ahead of Japan had they not received the penalty and are hoping to improve on this score in the duet free.

Canadian's Marie-Pier Boudreau-Gagnon and Isabelle Rampling continue to improve, finishing in fourth place (47.250) which leaves them within reach of a medal.

Italy's Beatrice Adelizzi and Giulia Lapi (46.667) and Greece's Evanthia Makrygianni and Despoina Solomou (46.000) finished in fifth and sixth respectively due to minor errors in their routines.

Israel's Anastasia Gloushkov and Inna Yoffe executed a fast-paced rock and roll inspired routine, moving through the pool with black painted fingernails as they strummed guitars and performed the required elements. However, their score of 43.583 left them out of the top eight.

Medals will be awarded following the duet free routines on Friday, April 19, with the scores from the technical and free routines combining to determine the final rankings.

The results of the duet competition on Friday will establish which teams will be required to swim a second free routine on Sunday, April 20, to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games in August.