World Cup Standings: Women’s Race Coming Down to Battle Between Gretchen Walsh and Kate Douglass
Who will emerge on top of the points standings when the World Cup wraps up its three-meet tour of North America later this week? While the women’s battle for top honors is a tight affair between Americans Gretchen Walsh and Kate Douglass, the men’s standings are convincingly led by Hubert Kos, the reigning Olympic champion in the 200-meter backstroke.
Going into the Toronto stop of the circuit, which will be held from Thursday to Saturday, Walsh has the slightest edge on Douglass, 118.1 points to 118. Both women have been superb at the first two legs in Carmel (Ind.) and Westmont (Ill.), with Walsh sweeping the 100 individual medley, 50 butterfly and 100 butterfly. Douglass has been perfect in the 100 freestyle, 100 breaststroke and 200 breaststroke. Each athlete has set a world record, Walsh’s arriving in the 50 fly in Carmel and Douglass’ coming in Westmont in the 100 freestyle.
Regan Smith, with 114.4 points, sits in third place in the standings. During the World Cup, Smith has tied her world record in the 100 backstroke and set a pair of American records in the 200 butterfly. She also established an American record in the 200 backstroke on Sunday night, with her time better than the previous world record during a sensational duel with Aussie Kaylee McKeown.
In men’s action, Kos has a comfortable lead in the points standings over Canadian Ilya Kharun. Through the first two meets, Kos has not dropped a backstroke race, going 2-for-2 in the 50 backstroke, 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke. That excellence has enabled Kos to accumulate 116.4 points, which puts him ahead of Kharun and his 113.1 points. Shaine Casas follows in third place with 112.3 points.
Women’s Rankings
Men’s Rankings
