BIRCHER FACES DIFFICULT LEN CUP DEFENCE
Britain's Alan Bircher will be hoping to make it a hat-trick
of European Cup victories when he competes in the final of
this year's open water swimming series in Germany.
The former University of Bath swimmer, who now lives and
trains in Germany, has won the LEN 10k European Cup for the
past two years and will be aiming for three in a row on Saturday
in Muritz.
However, he will face stern competition for the title from
three other athletes who are all in contention for the series
victory and the EUR4,500 (£3,057) prize that goes with
it.
After six rounds, Bircher is currently third in the points
table on 47 points. Leading the way is title favourite Thomas
Lurz of Germany - the 5km World Champion - on 60 points, in
second lies Velerio Cleri of Italy on 51and Bertrand Venturi
of France is fourth on 45 points.
Bircher's points total comes from a third place finish at
the first event in Seville in Spain, victory at the London
leg and a sixth place in Creil, France.
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