Abrosimov and Huskisson Win 5km at European Open Water Championships

Russian Kirill Abrosimov won the men’s 5km event while Danielle Huskisson of Great Britain took the women’s 5km at the European Open Water Championships in Hoorn, Netherlands.

Abrosimov, who finished seventh in this event at the 2014 championships, dominated his competition winning the race by over 20 seconds posting a time of 54.34.3. Italian Federico Vanelli finished second in a time of 54:54.4 well ahead of Caleb Hughes of Great Britain who finished in a time of 55:06.1.

All three men competed in the 10km event on Sunday. Abrosimov finished 14th while Vanelli finished fourth and Hughes placed sixth.

Abrosimov was confident entering the event and was not surprised with the result, “As a winner in 2012 in Piombino at the European Championships in the 5 and 10 km events, I was not surprised to win today,” said Abrosimov. “For me there is no difference, if I compete in a time trial or in an event with a mass start.”

World Championships silver medalist Rob Muffels of Germany finished just outside the medals placing fourth while 10km champion Ferry Weertman of the Netherlands finished fifth.

Unlike the women’s 10km event that finished in a tie between Italian Rachele Bruni and Aurelie Muller of France the 5km event had a clear winner. Huskisson finished first in a time of 59:46.1 six seconds ahead of German Finnia Wunram who put up a time of 59:52.4. Sharon van Rouwendaal of the Netherlands, who won the silver in this event at the 2014 European Championships, finished third in a time of 59:54.9.

Unlike Abrosimov Huskisson was a bit shocked by her victory, “To win here is a great surprise for me, I did not expect that as I more like to swim in a group like in the 10 kilometres,” said Huskisson. “It’s funny to go to the water with starting number one and finish the race first.”

Can't believe it!! EUROPEAN CHAMPION in the 5k TT today!! 😃😃 pic.twitter.com/Iszp9AqXlx

— Danielle Huskisson (@Danielle_Huski) July 12, 2016

All three of the top women competed in the 10km event where Huskisson finished eighth while Wunram placed sixth and van Rouwendall finished fourth.

Full results can be found here.