European Team Trial Championships

In an much anticipated race between Russia, Germany, Italy and 18 European All-Star teams, Italy won the 5K time trial team event at European Open Water Championships. Rachele Bruni, the women’s 5K champion, teamed up with Luca Ferretti and Andrea Volpini to finish in 56:17.5 in the team event.

Bruni, Ferretti and Volpini, like all the other teams, started together and were timed when the last swimmer crossed the finish. The Russian team of Evgeny Drattsev, Daniil Serebrennikov and Ekaterina Seliverstova finished second in 57:03.6, ahead of Germany with Thomas Lurz, Jan Wolfgarten and Britta Kamrau-Corestein who finished in 57:30.0.

"This was a fantastic race. Rachele Bruni is the toughest fighter I’ve ever met. The team trial is a great race because you have to swim as a team and not as an individual. It’s like the relays in the pool," said Volpini. His teammate Ferretti agreed, "The future belongs to Rachele Bruni..."

Bruni swam a 58:50.7 as an individual in the women's 5K, but she swam 2 minutes and 33 seconds faster drafting and pacing with her two male teammates.

Kamrau-Corestein also enjoyed the new format on the European stage, "We still have to gain some experience in this new event, then we might do even better. But we are happy with the bronze medal. The event is a good idea that leads the sport in the right direction." Kamrau-Corestein swam 59:16.1 as an individual and a 57:30.0 as a member of a 3-person team.

Serebrennikov of Russia said, “I liked the concept of the race very much. It is interesting, and you could even say it’s funny. I hope LEN will keep it for the next championships. On the other side, it’s the third event within three days, and it has taken its toll on me.”

Upper photo of Italy's victorious team of Ferretti, Bruni and Volpini taken by Giorgio Scala of Deepbluemedia.

Middle photo of Franco and Bruni after the individual 5K race taken by Giorgio Scala of Deepbluemedia.

Lower photo of Russian, Italian and Germans teams on the awards stand by Giorgio Scala of Deepbluemedia.

Copyright © 2008 by World Open Water Swimming Association