Canada’s Richard Weinberger wins bronze at FINA marathon swimming World Cup

BALATONFURED, Hungary – Canadian Olympic medal hopeful Richard Weinberger had plenty of gas in the tank when he crossed the finish in third place on Saturday in the men’s 10 kilometre open water race at the FINA marathon swimming World Cup.

Simone Ruffini of Italy won the gold medal clocking one hour 50 minutes 25.04 seconds. Andreas Washburger of Germany was second in 1:50:26.79 and Weinberger finished in 1:50.27.17 and also earns a $1500 cash prize.

“If the race was a little bit longer I think I could have blown past those guys,” said the 26-year-old from Victoria, who clocked the fastest on the fifth and last lap of the race. “I’m really happy with my race today, I stuck to the plan. This is my second to last race before the Olympics and it was important to get on the podium.”

Weinberger won the bronze medal in the men’s 10 kilometre at the 2012 London Olympics and wants to finish higher in Rio. Conditions Saturday were difficult with light chops and coolish waters. But for Weinberger, the tougher the conditions the better.

“He made his move on the last lap and went by those guys as they dropped off,” said Weinberger’s coach Stephen Price. “He just ran out of room for the win because he was finishing the fastest. Had he moved earlier he could have gapped those guys.”

Montreal’s Nicolas Masse-Savard was 24th, Xavier Desharnais of Sherbrooke, Que., 26th and Philippe Guertin of St-Hubert, Que., 33rd.

In the women’s 10 kilometre, Rachele Bruni of Italy took gold in 1:59:58.01, Haley Anderson of the U.S. was second in 2:00:09.81 and Isabelle Harle of Germany third in 2:00:11.54.

Jade Dusablon of Quebec City was 16th.