Although Canadian Philippe Debreuil sailed to a smooth victory in the men's 10K, finishing more than a minute ahead of the competition in a time of 1:51:38, it was Crippen who strategically jockeyed for the top U.S. finish.
After swimming in the middle of the group for the majority of the four-lap race, Crippen broke out a new line to the finish, challenging the lead pack. Gemmell followed Crippen's path, and the two crossed the finish line ahead of the remaining Americans.
Crippen, the top U.S. finisher, earned his ticket to Rome with a second-fastest time of 1:52:41. Gemmell will join him in Italy for the 10K, as he swam the next fastest time of 1:52:43 among the Americans. "A couple of times I could have put in good moves to catch him (Debreuil)," Crippen said. "But it didn't make a difference if I did. I stuck with the pack, conserved energy and swam strategically. It felt really good."
Mark Warkentin (Santa Barbara, Calif.), who became the first male swimmer to represent the U.S. in the Olympics in the 10K event last summer, finished eighth in the race with a time of 1:53:23. "I decided to come back to the place where this all started to swim my last race," Warkentin said. "Fort Myers is where it all started for me in 2006."
While 2008 Olympic open water swimmer Chloe Sutton (Mission Viejo, Calif.) bolted ahead quickly after the start of the women's race, it was Brunemann that made her way to the front for a steady lead. Brunemann and wolverine teammate Emily Hanson, along with Fabian, rotated leading the group throughout the race.
On the final lap, Sutton, who had fallen more than 20 meters behind, bypassed the final feeding station in lieu of making a surge to the front. While she closed the gap, it wasn't enough, as Brunemann crossed first in 1:58:11. Fabian was next in 1:58:13, and Hansen was third in 1:58:27. Sutton took fourth in a time of 1:58:54.
"That was my second open water race," Brunemann said. "The 5K on Friday was my first. I just felt really good out there today."
Qualifying Procedures
The top two U.S. finishers in the 10K automatically earned a spot to compete at the FINA World Championships in Rome in the event. The winners will then have a choice to also compete at World Championships in either the 5K and 25K, or both. If the top two swimmers in the 10K do not opt to swim in the 5K and/or 25K at Worlds, the remaining top six swimmers may have the opportunity to compete in Rome.
The remaining top six swimmers in the men's and women's 10K in Fort Myers will also have the opportunity to earn a spot to compete in both the 2009 FINA Open Water 10K World Cup in Roberval, Quebec, Canada on July 23.
Open Water Swimming at the 2009 World Championships: 21-25 July
