Hackett fastest, aims for third title

Olympic champion Grant Hackett asserted just enough authority in the men8217;s 1500 metres freestyle heats on Saturday to set the fastest time and point the way towards a third consecutive world title.

Hackett, who won the 800 freestyle on Friday, eased through the first 1200 metres but then stepped up the pace, accelerating away from 800 bronze medallist Igor Chervinskiy of Ukraine to qualify fastest for Sunday8217;s final in 15 minutes 08.79 seconds.

The 23-year-old Australian freestyler, 1500 world champion in 1998 and 2001, has won Barcelona gold in the 800 and 4X200 freestyle relay, silver in the 400 and bronze in the 200.

Britain8217;s Graeme Smith, the 1996 Olympic 1500 bronze medallist and silver medallist behind Hackett at the 2001 worlds, was runaway winner of his heat in 15:12.74 after finishing out of the medals in fourth place in the 800 final.