TORONTO – Defending champion Richard Weinberger just missed out on a medal in the men’s 10-km open water swimming marathon Sunday at the Pan American Games in Toronto.

Weinberger, who trains at the Swimming Canada High Performance Centre – Vancouver, led for most of the race, before being out-touched for bronze on the final sprint at Ontario Place West Channel.

Weinberger’s time of 1:54.09.3 was just a tenth of a second behind bronze medallist Enderica Salgado of Ecuador. Americans finished 1-2, with Chip Peterson winning in 1:54:03.6 ahead of David Heron (1:54:07.4).

Eric Hedlin of the High Performance Centre – Victoria finished ninth at 1:59:59.5

Weinberger, as is his trademark, ditched his cap early and pushed to the front. Both he and Hedlin were in the front pack, with Hedlin leading and Weinberger fourth after one 1.67-km lap. Hedlin held the lead through Lap 2 as Weinberger nudged into third, then after three the Canadians had switched spots. Weinberger held that lead for two more laps before falling short on the final push.