Gemmell, Twichell win 10k titles at US open water nationals
MIROMAR LAKES, Fla. (AP) Andrew Gemmell and Ashley Twichell won 10-kilometer titles Friday in the USA Swimming open water national championships.
Gemmell surged down the stretch to win the men's race by a body length in 1 hour, 53 minutes, 53.79 seconds. Ferry Weertmann of the Netherlands was second in 1:53:55.11, and Ous Mellouli of Tunisia finished third in 1:53:55.56. The trio swam in the lead pack for the first four laps before pulling away over the final 2,000 meters at Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club.
Twichell fought off Italy's Rachele Bruni in the last 10 meters of the women's race to touch in 2:01:51.78. Bruni finished second in 2:01:52.02, while Ana Marcela Cunha of Brazil touched third in 2:01:55.41.
Twichell, Bruni and Aurelie Muller of France were in the lead pack throughout the first four laps before Twichell surged ahead of Bruni over the final 10 meters.
The 5k races are Sunday.