Long distance swimmer Rhys Mainstone has fought off hypothermic conditions in Canada, to finish second in the 10km FINA World Cup event in Lac St-Jean.
With water temperature at a frosty 17 degrees and an air temperature of 18 degrees, the West Australian led for much of the race before finishing less than two minutes behind winner Charles Peterson.
Mainstone set a quick tempo with American Peterson right behind in his wake.
But with 3km to go Peterson took the lead and managed to hold off Mainstone, who finished a close second.
“I was confident of a good result with my last few World Cup results improving with each swim,” Mainstone said post race.
“But to be honest the water temperature was playing with my head.
“It brought back memories of 2010 here when I struggled in the cold.”
Back in 2010, it was a few notches cooler at 14 degrees and the Canadian waters got the better of Mainstone, with hypothermia forcing him to withdraw from the race.
This time around however, things were different, mainly due to a more focused preparation.
Mainstone has spent weeks training and racing in the ice cold waters of England and Canada in the lead up, including a win at Lake Jim two weeks ago.
The Lac St-Jean event is the second race in a whirlwind month for the 25 year old that will see him race five times, over almost 60km’s, inside four weeks.
Next stop is Lac Magog, on Thursday for another 10km World Cup event.