Germany wins 2nd straight world title in 5k team event

Christian Reichert, Isabelle Franziska Harle and Rob Muffels, from left, show off their gold medals during the ceremony for the 5 km open-water Team Event final at the Swimming World Championships in Kazan, Russia, Thursday, July 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits) Christian Reichert, Isabelle Franziska Harle and Rob Muffels, from left, show off their gold medals during the ceremony for the 5 km open-water Team Event final at the Swimming World Championships in Kazan, Russia, Thursday, July 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

By Associated Press July 30, 2015 1 min read

KAZAN, Russia (AP) – Germany won the 5-kilometer team event for the second consecutive time in open water swimming at the world championships.

The trio of Rob Muffels, Christian Reichert and Isabelle Harle finished in 55 minutes, 50.6 seconds Thursday on the Kazanka River. Germany also won the title two years ago in Barcelona, led by veteran Thomas Lurz, who has since retired.

Marcel Schouten, Ferry Weertman and Sharon van Rouwendaal of the Netherlands and Allan Do Carmo, Diogo Villarinho and Ana Cunha of Brazil tied for silver in 55:31.2.

Italy finished fourth in 55:49.4, followed by the U.S. trio of Sean Ryan, Jordan Wilimovsky and Ashley Twichell, who touched in 55:50.6.