Weinberger 6th Place in Sumidero Canyon Race in Mexico Today

Richard Weineberger came 6th in a tough International field of 20 swimmers in the 15 km Sumidero Canyon race in Mexico today. He swam a great race staying with the more experienced lead pack the whole wayand finishing just 10 seconds out of third --- and only 40 seconds behind the winner, three-time World Champion medallist Petar Stoychev.

“That was Richard’s best open water race so far,” said Canadian coach Ron Jacks of Victoria. “He stayed with the top people. It was a strong field with a couple of Olympians. When Petar took the lead at seven kilometres that’s when the race really started and Richard stayed right up there until the end.”

Stoychev of Bulgaria won the gold in three hours and 19 minutes and 52 seconds. Diego Nogueira of Spain was second in 3:20:16 and his compatriot Francisco Hervas third in 3:20:27. The 19-year-old Weinberger kept pace with the leaders clocking 3:20:37 for sixth spot in his sixth career open water race, and finished almost 3 full minutes ahead of the next nearest Canadians. Simon Tobin of Ste-Foy, Que., was 10th in 3:23:34 and Xavier Desharnais of LaSalle, Que., 12th in 3:23:36.