WET & WILD

Open water events set against stunning lochside backdrop

Loch Lomond provided the setting for a European glory bid by some of the world’s best endurance swimmers.

Loch Lomond’s minor tides and currents were selected as the location for the open water swimming events as part of the Glasgow 2018 European Championships and the events got underway on Wednesday with the men’s and women’s 5km races.

Spectators lined the loch for the un-ticketed event that saw Dutch woman, Sharon van Rouwendaal, grab glory.

The Olympic champion claimed gold in the women’s 5km with a time of 56.01. Leonie Beck took silver with Italian Rachele Bruni taking the bronze. The women set off at 9.30am on Wednesday morning.

On Wednesday afternoon it was the turn of the men in their 5km race.

Hungarian swimmer, Kristóf Rasovszky, was crowned the European champion in a time of 52 minutes and 39 seconds, beating France’s Axel Reymond and Logan Fontaine in to silver and bronze.

Yesterday saw the staging of the men’s and women’s 10km race. Sharon made it double success, adding her second gold of the championships. She saw off Italy’s Giulia Gabrielleschi and compatriot, Esmee Vermeulen in a time of 1 hour 54 minutes and 45 seconds.

The distance swimming continues this weekend, with the 5km mixed team relay tomorrow (Saturday) and the event is rounded off with the men’s and women’s 25km races on Sunday.

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Chief Executive, Gordon Watson said: “Hosting the European Championships shows that Loch Lomond is a world class venue for open water swimming.

“The sport continues to be more and more popular in the National Park and this is a fantastic opportunity for people to come along and see the best open water swimmers in Europe competing against the backdrop of some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery.

“We’re also bringing the Festival 2018 atmosphere to Balloch on Saturday to celebrate the Championships so all in all it’s going to an exciting few days.”

Loch Lomond is a world class venue for open water swimming

Plunge Swimmers set off for the women’s 5km race

Success Winner of the 5km Kristof Rasovszky with French runners up Logan Fontaine and Axel Reymond

Spectacular Swimmers from across Europe raced against the scenic backdrop in the women’s 10km

Exhausted Czech swimmer, Vit Ingeduld, feels the effects of the lung bursting race

Champ Gold medallist Sharon van Rouwendaal with Leonie Beck and Rachele Bruni in the 5km