Russia arrive in style to claim double gold at Artistic Swimming World Series

By Nick Butler
Saturday, 19 May 2018

Russia produced their usual brilliance in the team event ©FINA

Russia made a predictably successful arrival to the International Swimming Federation (FINA) Artistic Swimming World Series with double gold today in Budapest's Duna Arena.

Teenager Varvara Subbotina marked her arrival on the senior international stage with gold in the solo technical event with a score of 94.1510.

The 17-year-old was leading the Russian team in the absence of Svetlana Kolesnichenko, who is struggling with knee problems, but proved herself a contender for the present as well as the future.

Yelizaveta Yakhno took Ukrainian silver with 91.0814 while there was bronze for Linda Cerruti after she posted 88.5434.

Russia then scored 94.6289 to win the team technical title ahead of Ukraine, with 92.0168, and Italy, with 88.3951.

Varvara Subbotina, centre, took the women's solo spoils ©FINA

Yakhno and Anastasiya Savchuk claimed Ukrainian duet free gold with 92.2668 in a Russia-less field elsewhere today.

Cerrutti and Constanza Ferro took silver on 90.5998 and there was bronze for twins Anna-Maria and Eirini Alexandri of Austria, with 86.0000.

Ukraine also won the highlights event with 93.1333 points.

They easily beat Israel, second with 79.7333, and Slovakia, third with 75.1000.

Action will continue tomorrow with a final day of competition.

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