WM in Singapore
Wellbrock’s gold comeback in the heat: “This is my love”
Florian Wellbrock is back. The top swimmer put the bitter Olympic experiences away and shines in the open water at the World Cup. He compares the conditions with a “washing machine at 40 degrees”.
The thought of World Cup gold released impressive forces at Florian Wellbrock after the heat battle of Singapore. The open water champion under palm trees spoke about its swimming coup on the outside. “These are the last reserves,” said Wellbrock on the Palawan Beach and laughed. “I’m Mega Happy with this entry into the World Cup.”
With a dominant appearance, the 27-year-old gave the German team the first title in the first World Cup race-and after all the discussions about dirty water and shifts. “This is completely hidden,” said Wellbrock.
The 2021 Olympic champion prevailed in front of the Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri and the Australian bronze winner Kyle Lee. Wellbrock’s Magdeburg training partner Oliver Klemet (23) missed the targeted podium as fourth only by a tenth of a second.
For Wellbrock, the first big title has been a very special one in 2023. Almost a year ago, he had to cope with huge disappointments at the Olympic Games of Paris. Wellbrock had already left over 800 and 1500 meters of freestyle in the pelvis in the lead and had also missed the hoped -for medal in the open water race.
Several shifts about water quality
Doubts and a longer break in competition had shaped the time afterwards. Wellbrock even thought about the end of his career, but decided to stay with it. “This is my job, that’s my love, I like to do it – and that’s why I’m here,” he said. “You are pleased that it was not worth it.”
Born in Bremen with national coach Bernd Berkhahn, the native of Bremen meticulously prepared for the season highlight in Singapore. There he used the first of several medal opportunities.
He mastered the difficult conditions best. His race had previously been postponed twice because of poor water quality. In the case of measurements, the limit values defined in the regulations had been exceeded. They should protect the health of the athletes. Now the organizer gave the green light.
“Anyone who was in Paris last year is a bit hardened. That’s why we could enjoy it a bit today,” said Wellbrock. There were also major problems with water quality around the races in which the Seine had also been.
“As in a washing machine at 40 degrees”
Now the tropical heat was added. With an officially 30.4 degrees Celsius water temperature and even higher values on land, Wellbrock swam in the top group from the start, most of the time even at the forefront. A risky tactic, after all, the race as a leading tendency is more strenuous than in the pull of the competition.
“Of course it consumes. But it is the same when you have conflicts in the back of the crowd,” said Wellbrock and said about the challenging conditions with waves and warm water: “It felt a bit like a washing machine at 40 degrees.”
Wellbrock did not show for the first time that it can be easily caught with high temperatures. It was also extremely hot for his Olympic victory in Tokyo. “The heat plays well into my cards. We know that I can do it well,” said Wellbrock. Nevertheless, he was looking forward to cooling down after his impressive title comeback.
dpa
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
