Swimming Canada – LAC-MÉGANTIC, Que. – Hau-Li Fan of Burnaby, B.C. won the bronze medal in the men’s 10 kilometre open water race on Saturday at a FINA World Series swimming competition.

Kristof Rasovszky of Hungary took the gold in two hours and 46 minutes and 03 seconds. Dario Verani of Italy was second 1.8 seconds behind and Fan followed 6.4 seconds off the winning time.

“It was a really fun race,” said Fan. “I felt that I was in control of the race from the start. Even when I slipped back after seven kilometres I kept my composure and made it back into a good position for the finish. As always the finishing speed was very important and is something I need to work on going into next year’s Olympic qualifier race.”

Fan ‘s coach Steve Price was delighted with the performance from Fan, who made his FINA World Championships debut last month, finishing 17th in the 10-km.

“This was a great finish for Hau-Li, coming off a successful world championships, and will set him up well to qualify for the Olympics next season,” said Price, who added that Fan not only picks up the medal but $2,300 USD in FINA World Cup prize money, plus a bonus $500 CDN for being the top Canadian.

Italy was 1-2 in the women’s 10-kilometre. Arianna Bridi was first in 2:24:30.0 and Rachele Bruni second 2.6 seconds behind. Anna Olasz of Hungary was third in 4.5 seconds back of the winner.

Three-time Olympian Stephanie Horner of Beaconsfield, Que., was fifth in 2:25.40.9

“It was a strong field,” said Horner. “It’s always great racing against very competitive international girls. Some of them have already qualified for Tokyo next year, and so getting to race against them today was great. I’m always trying to learn and get better from each race.”

Andréa Terriault (Montreal), Mia Desjarlais (Prévost) and Heidi Ullrich were eighth, ninth and tenth in the 12-swimmer field.

Nicolas Masse-Savard (Montreal) was 12th in the 18-swimmer men’s race and David Pouliot, Édouard Bélanger and Maxime Gagnon, all from Quebec City,were 14th, 17th and 18th.