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Vikes swimmer splashing closer to Olympics

Vikes open-water specialist Richard Weinberger zeroing in on a spot with Canadian Olympic team

Open-water swim specialist Richard Weinberger of the UVic Vikes is zeroing in on an Olympic berth for Canada at the London Games.

Weinberger won bronze in a FINA 10-kilometre swim in Brazil over the weekend, with a time of two hours, 11 minutes and 42.34 seconds. His finish was just seconds behind world champion Spyros Gianniotis (Greece) in first and second-place Nicola Bolzonello (Italy).

“To be racing side by side and keeping pace with a guy like (world champion) Spyros was exhilarating,” Weinberger said.

If no other Canadian places higher than third next week in Argentina, Weinberger will compete in the Portugal Olympic Qualifier race in June.

sports@vicnews.com