Victoria's Hedlin captures silver for Canada at World Championship

Source: Ardy Ramezani, with files from Swimming Canada

VICTORIA, B.C. - University of Victoria Vikes swimmer Eric Hedlin was the first to get claim Canada a medal on the opening day of the FINA World Championships held in Barcelona, Spain. In addition, 2012 Olympic bronze medallist and fellow Vike Richard Weinberger finished fifth place in the men's 10-km open water event two days later.

Hedlin Story / Weinberger Story

Hedlin, competing in the men's 5-kilometre open water race, swam a time of 53:31.6 to earn the second spot on the podium. The second-year Vike fell short of gold to Tunisia's Oussama Mellouli but finished well-ahead of seven-time defending champion Thomas Lurz of Germany.
 
Without much time to rest after his 5-km race, Hedlin joined Weinberger in the 10-km open water event. Second-year Weinberger, who swam to the podium in the 10-km in London last year,  fell just 0.7 seconds behind bronze medallist Mellouli of Tunisia to finish in fifth-place. Hedlin finished 23rd in a field of 66.

Weinberger's fifth-place finish in 1:49:19.9 did not come without drama, as the 23-year old missed a turning buoy midway through the race at Moll de la Fusta and was forced to leave his position near the front of the pack to repeat the turn. Relentlessly, Weinberger battled back to the front as the rest of the lead pack enter the final lap.

"I'm pretty proud of the fact that I didn't give up," said Weinberger in a Swimming Canada report. "I tried to stay cool but I knew it was a fatal mistake and I paid for it."
 
Impressively, just a week ago Hedlin was in Kazan, Russia, also representing Canada at the 27th Summer Universiade. Hedlin earned one of Canada's 16 medals, after earning bronze in the men's 800-m freestyle. In the men's 1500-m race, Hedlin was unfortunate not to bring Canada's tally to 17 to after finishing in a close fourth-place.
 
As a rookie, Hedling competed at the CIS swimming championships last February, picking up two medals for UVic. He earned silver in the men's 400-m freestyle and in the meet's memorable 500-m event, Hedlin swam to gold as his Vikes teammates finished the podium sweep with Will Brothers and Weinberger close behind. Hedlin was named a CIS first team All-Canadian and honoured as the 2013 CIS Rookie Swimmer of the Year for his notable performances.

As the World Championships continue, both Hedlin and Weinberger have one event left each. Hedlin will be competing in the three-person 5-km relay on Jul. 25, while Weinberger will be looking to bounce back with eyes on the podium in the 25-km open water on Jul. 27.
 
The FINA World championships will run to Aug. 3 and the competition also features water polo, diving, synchronized swimming and high diving. For further information visit: www.fina.org or www.swimming.ca