Overview
- The 28-year-old German won the 10-kilometer race in Soma Bay on Friday in 1:50:59.50, finishing ahead of David Betlehem of Hungary and Domenico Acerenza of Italy.
- He said he will race all four World Cup stops for the first time, pointing to prize money after calling European Championship payouts marginal.
- The series pays $3,500 for a race win and $50,000 to the overall champion, which helps swimmers cover travel and training costs between big meets.
- After sweeping all four open-water world titles last year, he is lowering pressure this season by setting no concrete goals and by prioritizing recovery after unusual bouts of illness.
- The Soma Bay result also fed into European Championship selection, with Germany requiring a top-12 European finish, though Wellbrock and teammate Oliver Klemet already have their places.