Eleven proved a popular number for New Zealand
swimmers Kane Radford and Charlotte Webby in the latest round of the FINA 10km
World Cup in Portugal. Rotorua’s Radford was among a select group fighting out
for the bronze medal in the final dash of the men’s race, finishing only eight
seconds off third place. American Chip Peterson won in 1:54.23 from Christian
Reichert (Germany) 24 seconds back. Radford was in a group of 14 swimmers who
sprinted home for the final podium spot, finishing 11th in 1:55.08.
Auckland’s Phillip Ryan (Waterhole) finished 25th from a field of 50 in
1:55:59 with Waikato’s Troy Balvert (St Peters) 36th in 1:58:10. Italian
Rachele Bruni cemented her overall lead in the series with victory in the
women’s race in 2:05.24 as she and experienced Japanese swimmer Yumi Kida
distanced themselves from the field in the women’s race. Webby clung on to a
nine-strong chase pack that included open water world champions Eva Fabian
(USA) and Angela Maurer (GER) until the final lap when she slipped off the
back, finishing 11th in 2:07.27. National champion Penny Hayes (St Peters)
was 18th in 2:18.23. Radford and Ryan now head to Korea to compete in the
World University Games starting this weekend in Korea.
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