China’s Xin Xin Claims First At 2016 Open Water Qualifiers Event

Jul 12, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chip Peterson of the United States (top) races Richard Weinberger of Canada in the men's open water swim during the 2015 Pan Am Games at Ontario Place West Channel. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Courtesy: Erich Schlegel/USA Today Sports Images

Another nine open water swimmers booked their tickets to Rio and the 2016 Summer Games. There were nine spots on the line to be earned by the top nine finishers, however, only one person from each country could qualify. China’s Xin Xin, a 2012 Olympian, led the charge with a final time of 1:55.12.1.

Finishing close behind Xin was Keri Anne-Payne, a 2008 Olympic silver medalist from Great Britain, finishing .8 seconds behind with a time of 1:55.12.9.

Picking up third was Samantha Arevalo of Ecuador with a time of 1:55.15.9. Throughout the entire final lap Xin, Payne, and Arevalo battled for the lead.

Australia’s Chelsea Gubecka (+22.2), Japan’s Yumi Kida (+26.3), the 12th place finisher in the 10K race at the London Olympics, and South Africa’s Michelle Weber (+37.6) grabbed fourth through fifth respectively.

Karen Lee of Australia finished seventh overall (+38.1) but could not qualify for Rio due Gubecka’s fourth place finish. Danielle Huskisson (+52.5) of Great Britain fell to the same problem as Lee as the second person from one country in the top nine. Joanna Zachoszcz of Poland (+52.4) grabbed eighth and a ticket to the Olympics.

Paola Perez of Venezuela (+1:09.8) and Spela Perse of Slovenia (+1:42.4) earned the final two spots in Rio.

Today’s qualifiers join the top 10 swimmers that qualified during the 2015 Kazan World Championships. In order to assure that there is representation from each continent the top-ranked swimmer from each continent who has not already qualified will automatically qualify for Rio.

FINA’s marathon rules can be found here.

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