Baker's Top-10 Best Ever in World Open Water Swim Champs

New Zealand swimmer Cara Baker has produced a superb performance to secure a top-10 finish in the 5km race at the FINA Open Water World Championships in Canada today.

It is the first time a New Zealand swimmer has gained a top 10 in the Open Water World Championships and follows her solid 17th in the 10km race earlier in the week at Lac-St-Jean in Roberval.

Baker finished ninth in 1:02.07, only six seconds behind winner American Eva Fabian who bounced back after being disqualified for missing a buoy in the 10km earlier in the week. She edged out Italy’s Georgia Consiglio who was second in the 10km race.

The 5km race was also a torrid affair with referees handing out seven yellow cards and ejecting one swimmer.

Baker managed to keep out of the firing line, working into the leading group and finishing just behind a group of four who made the final dash for the timing pads. She was the leading Commonwealth competitor ahead of the Australians, home town Canadians and British swimmers that included defending champion Keri-Anne Payne.

“It was an excellent performance from Cara,” said Swimming New Zealand Open Water coach Phillip Rush. “This is her first time at the world championships and only her fifth open water swim. She learned a lot from the 10km and was able to capitalise on her good speed from the pool.

“She was the top Commonwealth swimmer and it follows on from her win in the Australian Championships.

“With Alannah Jury getting back to full form after illness and now Cara we have the seeds of the start of an internationally competitive open water programme.”

The water waters were also choppy today with Baker handling the water well, with the former Manawatu swimmer now based on the Gold Coast where she trains under world renowned coach Dennis Cotterell.

Results, 5km Open Water Swim:
Eva Fabian (USA) 1:02.00, 1; Georgia Consiglio (ITA) 1:02.01, 2; Ana Cunha (BRA) 1:02.02, 3. Also: Cara Baker (NZL) 1:02.07, 9.