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German open water swimmer Elea Linka returns to Ostia beach
Photo:
VINCENZO PINTO / AFP
The open water races for women and men at the European Championships in Italy over 25 kilometers have been canceled prematurely due to poor external conditions with high waves.
The race started around 1 p.m. in the midday heat.
After about four hours, the swimmers came out of the sea in the Roman suburb of Lido di Ostia.
An official rating of the race was initially not available.
Among the remaining eight women and 13 men were Elea Linka, Andreas Waschburger and Ben Langner from the German team.
There were no races on Thursday and Friday due to unfavorable weather conditions.
All competitions, originally spread over four days, had been postponed to Saturday and Sunday.
The race over 5 kilometers took place on Saturday morning in calmer conditions.
Leonie Beck in fifth place in the women's race and Oliver Klemet in the same place in the men's race were the best from the German team.
The Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri won the men's.
Sharon van Rouwendaal from the Netherlands won the women's race.
On Sunday, the Olympic 10 kilometers (10 a.m.) and the mixed relay (4 p.m.) are still on the program.
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