Mainstone Snares Podium Finish at Hong Kong World Cup Event

WAIS Open Water swimmer Rhys Mainstone achieved a podium finish at the FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup held at Repluse Bay in Hong Kong on Saturday.

In the last leg of the World Cup race circuit for 2013, Mainstone finished third among the world’s top open water swimmers.

Heading into the race with a new race strategy, Mainstone’s coach suggested Mainstone would take a lot of confidence from his performance in Hong Kong.

“It’s a really positive result for him,” Coach Mel Tantrum explained.” “He changed his racing strategy after the world championships so this race was a good practice opportunity.”

To back up his excellent results in the World Cup, Mainstone then swum in the New World Harbor crossing race the next day.

He finished sixth in the 1,500m-sprint from Lei Yue Mun Sam Ka Tsuen Public Pier to Quarry Bay Park in Hong Kong.

The three-time Australian champion will now return to Perth and focus on the NSW state championships in December, which will also double as selection trials for the 2014 Pan Pacific Championships.

– Olivia Vivian