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Open water swimming: REYMOND follows his rivals' feet to strike triple gold as France dominate open water

 

 

WUHAN (CHN) - An unstoppable Axel REYMOND (FRA) won his third Wuhan 2019 gold medal from as many swims as France claimed the 5km team relay, the final event of the open water competition at East Lake on Sunday.

REYMOND, the world 25km champion, had already claimed the individual 5km and 10km crowns as France ended the meet with four gold and seven medals in total.

Oceane CASSIGNOL (FRA), the 10km champion and 5km silver medallist, and 10km bronze medallist Caroline JOUISSE (FRA) swam the first two legs before handing over to REYMOND who cancelled out an 18-second deficit before handing over a 2.5 second lead to China to renowned sprint specialist Logan FONTAINE (FRA).

“I just follow them and try to catch their feet," REYMOND said. "I just follow the feet and try to catch them the fastest way that I can.”

 

 

FONTAINE guided France home in 56 minutes 41.8secs ahead of Brazil (56:44.6) and China (56:48.0) to add team gold to his individual silver in the 5km.

“It is very good for the [open water] team, but also for the French team across all sports to have this gold medal for France,” FONTAINE said.

Italy were fourth in the mixed team in 56:50.00 while Ecuador finished fifth.

 

 

Brazil star Ana CUNHA (BRA) swam her team's second leg as she added silver to her individual 10km gold and 5km bronze medals.

CUNHA said used the meet as valuable preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

“For me this competition was very important. After the World Championships we have tried to swim in warmer water because in the Olympic Games it may be very hot in Japan.

“I think now it’s important to swim in more competitions.”

 

(Source: Xinhua Info)

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