Betlehem and Spiwoks claim season-ending LEN Open Water Cup wins
World junior champion David Betlehem of Hungary and Kiel Open Water Cup winner Jeanette Spiwoks of Germany claimed dominant victories in the final round in Barcelona.
LEN Open Water Cup, Leg 6, Barcelona (ESP) – Summary
Leg 6, 10km, Men:
1. David Betlehem (HUN) 1:41:11.50, 2. Rob Muffels (GER) 1:43:38.90, 3. Guillem Pujol (ESP) 1:44:18.35.
Leg 6, 10km, Women:
1. Jeanette Spiwoks 1:51:37.50, 2. Angela Martinez (ESP) 1:54:11.55, 3. Candela Sanchez (ESP) 1:54:14.05.
David Betlehem hit the top gears last week at the FINA World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships in Seychelles, where he claimed two golds, in the 10km and in the relay.
The 19-year-old super-talented Hungarian brought his speed to the harbour of Barcelona for this race and stormed to another victory.
He moved clear of the pack in the early stages fo the race and in calm waters, with good visibility, his tactics – a repeat of what he used at the Europeans in Ostia earlier in the year, worked perfectly.
With French senior world championships medallist Marc-Antoine Olivier opting to skip the race, Germany’s World and European bronze medallist Rob Muffels was highest-profile challenger and although he was unable to catch the young Hungarian, his second place was never in danger.
A great battle ensued for the bronze though, which was eventually won by Spaniard Guillem Pujol who out-touched Czech Martin Straka by 0.45sec.
Watch the men and women collect their LEN Open Water Cup medals in Barcelona.
The other competition also saw one athlete dominate as Jeanette Spiwoks backed up her maiden LEN Open Water Cup victory of the season in Kiel last month with success in Barcelona.
The minor medals went to home swimmers with Angela Martinez taking silver. Candela Sanchez edged bronze by 0.35 sec ahead of Stel Serena of the Netherlands.
LEN Open Water Cup – 2022 Calendar
Leg 1: 24 March, Eilat (ISR):
Winners: Kristof Rasovszky (HUN) & Oceane Cassignol (FRA)
Leg 2: 13 May, Piombino (ITA):
Winners: Sacha Velly (FRA) & Leonie Beck (GER)
Leg 3: 20 May, Alghero (ITA):
Winners: Gregorio Paltrinieri (ITA) & Mira Szimcsak (HUN)
Leg 4: 17 July, Belgrade (SRB):
Winners: Nathan Hughes (GBR) & Aurelie Muller (FRA)
Leg 5: 27 August, Kiel (GER):
Winners: Linus Schwedler (GER) & Jeannette Spiwoks (GER)
Leg 6: 24 September, Barcelona (ESP):
Winners: David Betlehem & Jeannette Spiwoks (GER)
The post Betlehem and Spiwoks claim season-ending LEN Open Water Cup wins first appeared on LEN - European Aquatics.
The post Betlehem and Spiwoks claim season-ending LEN Open Water Cup wins appeared first on LEN - European Aquatics.