The World Junior Open Water championships kicked off today in Hoorn, Netherlands, just after the European Open Water Championships concluded earlier this week.
Today’s events included the 14-15 year old boys and girls 5K and the 16-17 year old boys and girls 7.5K.
The top seven finishers in the boys 14-15 5K posted times of under an hour. Daniil Orlov of Russia swam 26 seconds ahead of the field to a winning time of 59:27.9.
The next four finishers were all within a mere second of each other. Spain’s Eric Vilaregut got silver in 59:54.5 while Great Britain’s Hector Parode swam a 59:55.0 for third.
In the 14-15 5K, China’s Xiohan Liu earned gold with her 1:03:48.0. Just two seconds behind her was Italy’s Giulia Berton with a 1:03:50.9. Completing the podium was Maria Romero of Spain in 1:03:53.6.
The champion in the boys 7.5K ran away with the victory. Logan Fontaine of France finished in 1:25:06.8. Nearly two minutes behind him, two Americans completed the podium. Michael Brinegar registered a 1:26:54.2 and Simon Lamar posted a 1:26:56.1.
The margin of victory was even larger in the girls race. Paula Ruiz of Spain swam a time of 1:29:55.7. Two and a half minutes behind her was Oceane Cassignol of France with a 1:32:31.0. Third place went to China’s Fuwei Dong in 1:32:34.8.
Live results are available here.