European Aquatics Championships: Last-Lap Surge Steers Florian Wellbrock to Maiden European Open Water Title
A final-lap surge propelled Florian Wellbrock to his maiden European open water title after 10 challenging kilometres in the River Seine in Paris.
The German was in the top three throughout bar a short spell in sixth with a little under two kilometres to go.
Third behind Paris 2024 Olympic medallists David Betlehem and Oliver Klemet going into the final lap, Wellbrock accelerated and soon picked off his Germany teammate to move into second.
Betlehem was now in his sights and the Tokyo Olympic champion ate into the deficit before moving onto the Hungarian’s shoulder and into the lead with a few hundred metres remaining.
Betlehem hit back in the final chute but Wellbrock wasn’t going to relinquish his advantage and came home in to touch the board in 1:55:18.3.
It was a much-improved Paris experience for Wellbrock who finished eighth in the same River Seine two years ago in the Olympic marathon swimming, albeit on a different course. It also saw him clinch his fourth continental open water medal and first title.
Wellbrock’s triumph followed his quadruple at last year’s World Championships where he swept the 5k, 10k, 3k knockout sprints and team open water.
Betlehem upgraded Belgrade 2024 bronze to silver in 1:55.20.5 with Klemet third in 1:55:24.8. There was a 10-second gap to Gregorio Paltrinieri in fourth with the Italian finishing in 1:55:34.8 with Marcello Guidi and Hector Pardoe rounding out the top six.