Jack Burnell Among British Open Water Swimmers Headed to World Champs

Photo Courtesy: Swimming Australia

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A six-strong British Marathon Swimming Team has been selected to compete at this summer’s World Championships in Hungary.

Olympian Jack Burnell, as the most experienced athlete, will spearhead the outfit in what will be his third World Championships.

The European silver medalist was a fifth place finisher at the World Championships two years ago and will contest the Olympic 10km distance alongside Caleb Hughes.

In the Women’s 10km Danielle Huskisson and Alice Dearing will represent Great Britain with Huskisson also set to compete in the 5km event.

Tobias Robinson and Tim Shuttleworth will compete in the Men’s 5km event and the team relay line-up will be decided closer to the events which are due to take place in Balatonfüred, Lake Balaton.

Marathon Swimming Lead Bernie Dietzig commented: “It’s one of the biggest teams we’ve ever produced for a World Championships which is really encouraging. It’s also a strong team which has clear medal chances.

“The build up to selection for these athletes has been good. Off the back of a slow start to the season, with not many races available, we’ve just had an intense period of racing which has seen athletes compete in Abu Dhabi, the U.S. and France.

“It’s exciting to see some new faces on the team such as Tobias and Tim. It will be a tough start to their international marathon careers but I’m pretty confident. They have a strong distance pedigree and I’m sure this will transfer to the marathon event.”

The team will finalize its preparations in Setubal, Portugal, on 24 June when they compete in a leg of the FINA Marathon World Cup. This will be their final race before competing at the Worlds just three weeks later.

The British Marathon Swimming Team comprises:

Jack Burnell – National Centre, Loughborough
Caleb Hughes – National Centre, Loughborough
Tobias Robinson – National Centre, Loughborough
Tim Shuttleworth – National Centre, Loughborough
Alice Dearing – National Centre, Loughborough
Danielle Huskisson – University of Stirling

The FINA World Championship marathon events take place 15-21 July 2017.

Press release courtesy of British Swimming.

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