European Championships: Dutch Sweep 10K Gold; Men’s Race Sees Identical Finish
The Dutch swept the gold medals in the European Championships open water 10K swims on Thursday.
Sharon Van Rouwendaal completed the 5K and 10K sweep, but it was the men’s race that had everyone talking.
After that long, intense race, two competitors finished together — crossing at the same time.
Ferry Weertman of the Netherlands won the race in 1:49.28.2 in one of the closest races in history.
Hungary’s Kristof Rasovzsky finished second in the exact same time — down to the tenths of a second.
Germany’s Rob Muffels was third in 1:49.33, one second ahead of Marc-Antoine Olivier of France (1:49.34.7) and just ahead of Israel’s Matan Roditi (1:49.36.2).
Italy’s Matteo Furlan finished sixth in 1:49.36.7, followed by Britain’s Jack Burnell (1:49.37.1 and Italy’s Mario Sanzullo (1:49.47.4).
The women’s race was close, but not nearly that close.
Van Rouwendaal won the race in 1:54.45.7, a full eight seconds ahead of Italy’s Giulia Gabbriellechi (1:54.53.0).
Another Dutch swimmer made the podium as Esmee Vermeulen finished third in 1:55.27.4.
Italy’s Rachel Bruni was fourth (1:55.40.6), followed by Germany’s Finnia Wunram (1:56.26.5), France’s Lara Grangeon (1:52.22.0) and Lisa Pou (1:57.22.8) and Italy’s Arianna Bridi (1:57.37.1).