Cleland and Ilchenko triumph

Australia’s Grant Cleland and Russia’s Larisa Ilchenko won the men’s and women’ 5km races on the opening day of the 3rd FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships yesterday.

If the men’s race was a tight finish between the front pack, the women’s contest turned out to be a Russian domination as Ilchenko, 16, was followed by her teammate Ksenia Popova.

“This is the moment I’ve been waiting for,” exulted Cleland after a strong finish just 1.2 seconds ahead of Germany’s Christian to claim his first major international title.

“I’ve trained so hard and put in so much of effort and made too many sacrifices, just to get to this moment,” the men’s winner added.

“It was truly a fast race. And after the midway mark, I found it getting even faster,” said Cleland’s teammate, Santacaterina.

Great Britain’s David Proud was the early leader as the German duo of Christian and Thomas Lurz stuck within reach along with Santacaterina.

However, after the 2.5km mark Cleland pushed his way to the front pack. The final thrust came when he was 500 metres away from the finish line.

Christian powered his way in an attempt to catch up with the Australian. But Cleland was simply too strong in the final sprint.

The women’s race was a bit different as the Russian pairing of Ilchenko and Popova pushed clear of the 20 swimmers midway through the race.

McLarty and European champion Britta Kamrau stayed within distance of the two Russians hoping to use the final leg for a smooth finish.

But things did not turn out that way as Ilchenko and Popova gradually improved on their pace and cut out the competition before they approached the final stretch.

For the team competition, Germany now leads the standings with a cumulative time of 2:57.49.6 followed by the Australia trio with a time of 2:58.18.6. Russia is in third position.

The team competition consists of the top three swimmers from each country having their timings added. Today is a rest day and competition in this championship will resume with the 10km race for men and women tomorrow.

Spectators are most welcome to attend by entering the Dubai Creek Park from Gate No.2.

Results:
Men (5km): 1. Grant Cleland (Australia) 56 mins, 52.9 secs; 2. Christian Hein (Germany) 56:54.1; 3. Josh Santacaterina (Australia) 56:55.5; 4. Thomas Lurz (Germany) 57:01.5; 5. Ivan De Jesus Ramos Lopez (Mexico) 57:02.8.

Women (5km): 1. Larisa Ilchenko (Russia) 1 hr, 03.11.9 mins; 2. Ksenia Popova (Russia) 1:03.43.8; 3. Sara McLarty (USA) 1:03.52.9; 4. Britta Kamrau (Germany) 1:03.54.0; 5. Alessia Paoloni (Italy) 1:04.12.1.