Italian delight at Fina 10km Abu Dhabi swim as Adrianna Bridl prevails

German Florian Wellbrock is the male victor in Friday's race at Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club

Adrianna Bridi celebrates her success in Abu Dhabi with Rachele Bruni, left, and Ana Marcela Cunha, right. Image courtesy of Abu Dhabi Sports Council

Adrianna Bridi led a one-two finish for Italy in the women’s race on Friday at the Fina 10km Marathon race at Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club.

Bridi, the 2017 world champion, edged out compatriot Rachele Bruni, silver medallist at the 2016 Rio Games.

Taking third spot was the Brazilian Ana Marcela Cunha, who already had the 2018 world title in her bag having garnered enough points from the eight race series.

The Olympic champion Sharon van Rouwendaal of the Netherlands finished sixth behind compatriot Esmee Vermeulen and last year’s Abu Dhabi winner Aurelie Muller.

There was no Italian double however as Florian Wellbrock prevailed in the men's race. The German triumphed ahead of Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri and Hungary’s Kristof Rasovszky.

Dutchman Ferry Weertman was crowned the 2018 men’s world champion after finishing seventh, ahead of his closest challenger Briton Jack Burnell, who was 12th.

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Read more:

Ana Marcela Cunha: I will do everything possible to win Fina 10km swim in Abu Dhabi

Gary Hunt, the ‘Michael Jordan’ of diving, claims gold at 2017 Fina High Diving World Cup in Abu Dhabi

Rio runners-up find gold in Abu Dhabi at 2017 Fina 10-kilometre Marathon Swimming World Cup

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