Florian Wellbrock Steers Germany to Team Title At Open Water World Cup
A storming final leg by Florian Wellbrock elevated Germany to top spot in the mixed team relay as he clinched his second gold in as many days at the World Aquatics Open Water World Cup in Somabay, Egypt.
Wellbrock took over in second place, 1.10secs behind Mario Mendez Puga of Spain with Hungary a further 2.50secs behind with Dávid Betlehem – second in the men’s individual 10k – on anchor.
The German took his place at the head of the field but as the finish approached, the duel was between him and Betlehem with Wellbrock ultimately enjoying a winning margin of 2.30secs.
The Germany quartet of Lea Boy, Leonie Märtens, Oliver Klemet and Wellbrock clocked 1:09:24.60.
It was a second gold for Wellbrock who won the men’s 10k on Friday while Boy took bronze in the women’s race.
Betlehem propelled Hungary past Spain to second as he anchored Bettina Fabian, Napsugar Nagy and Hunor Kovacs-Seres to silver in 1:09:26.90.
Spain were third with Maria de Valdes, Angela Martinez Guillen, Mateo Garcia Castro and Mendez Puga clocking a combined 1:10:10.90.
A quartet of neutral athletes were fourth followed by China and Egypt.
The World Cup will stop off next in Ibiza from 24-25 April before visiting Golfo Aranci, Italy (1-2 May) with Setubal, Portugal, hosting the final leg on 20-21 June.