SPW’s David Browne has come 15th in the men’s 10km at the FINA World Open Water Swimming Championship in Roberval, Canada.

Very cold conditions saw eight swimmers withdraw during the race. The water was just 17 degrees and dropped ever further at the exposed end of the course during the two hour race.

Brownie had to work very hard with his recovery to get warm after the race.

Italian Valerio Cleri won the race in just over two hours while Browne’s time of 2:01:56 is a good sign for the 25km on Friday.

Well done Brownie!

Update 23/7/2010:

Queenslander David Browne finished the final day of FINA Open Water World Swimming Championship in Roberval, Quebec in eleventh place in the men’s 25km, clocking a brave 5:39:52.440.

The 22-year-old was part of the leading pack for the first 18km of the race before a breakaway, led by eventual second place finisher and world 10km and 25km champion Valerio Cleri (5:32:40.400) from Italy, pulled clear of the pack.

Cleri was eventually beaten by American Alex Myers who out touched the Italian by less than a second in 5:32:39.380, but it was the determined effort of Browne that most impressed Open Water Head Coach Greg Towel.

“Browney swam true to his race plan and was in the mix up until the 18km mark when the pack separated and he wasn’t able to hang on,” said Towle.

“He is an experienced swimmer who has had podium finishes at this venue at past FINA World Cup events and will no doubt learn from this swim.”

[Source: Swimming Australia website]