Cold Case Freezes Mainstone Mission

WAIS swimmer Rhys Mainstone was forced to withdraw from the FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships in Roberval, Canada after cold conditions caused complications.

City of Perth club member Rhys Mainstone was one of eight athletes to succumb to the 17 degree waters, which dropped ever further at the exposed end of the course during the two hour race.

The 19-year-old from Perth was more than half way through the race when the difficult conditions got the better of him while Australian teammate David Browne was able to hold on and finish a commendable 15th in the international field.

Australian open water team coach Greg Towle commended the efforts of the Australian swimmers in such trying conditions.

“It was cold in there today, and the boys really showed a lot of determination to race and compete as well as they did,” said Towle.

“Bronwey had to work very hard with his recovery to get warm again after the race, and will now swim the 25km on Friday.”

Italian Valerio Cleri, who defeated Trent Grimsey for gold in the 25km at the world championships in Rome, last year, won the race in just over two hours while Browne’s time of 2:01:56 is a good sign for the 25km.

The Australian team will now have a rest day tomorrow before the men’s and women’s 5km on Wednesday.

– Swimming Australia