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Rob Muffels, Christian Reichert and Isabelle Franziska Harle, three athletes from Germany became the title holders in the 5km open water swim team event at the 2015 FINA World Championships in Kazan. Their result (55:14.4) was unattainable for their opponents. Since two national teams showed the same time result and both finished second, the bronze medal hasn’t found its owner this time.
Spectators though who came today to the Kazanka Venue could clearly see the Australian team finish first. However, in this very event it doesn’t matter anything, because the event’s outcome depends on the time shown by athletes. No one but the German open water swimmers and three more national teams could make it to the finish line within 56 minutes.
It strikes as interesting that the Dutch swimmers showed the second best time today. Actually it is their third silver medal won at the 16th FINA World Championships and all the three medals in their collection were scooped by the marathon racers.
Yet the athletes from Brazil finished with the same time. And since the competitors do not finish simultaneously in this event, there is a possibility for both teams to take the same podium spot. That is what happened today.
It is worth mentioning that the Italian open water swim fans who were getting ready to celebrate the bronze medal were indescribably disappointed. Unfortunately, Italy showed the fourth time and in the end could not count on the place on the podium. This was the first awarding ceremony of the FINA World Championships that had no third-time finisher on the podium.
FINA Worlds 2015. Open water swimming.
5km team event
1. Germany – 55:14. 4
2. Netherlands – 55:31.2 and Brazil – 55:31.2
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2015 FINA World Championships, Open Water Swimming: Team 5K – Results
