Jack Burnell seals European silver in Hoorn

Jack Burnell continued his build up to Rio 2016 with silver at the 2016 European Open Water Championships in Hoorn.

The Brit came through the 10km race in 1:55:21.2, trailing defending European champion Feery Weertman by just 0.6 seconds.

Burnell will make his Olympic debut later this summer, having finished fifth at last year’s World Championships in Kazan.

Picked up the silver medal today out in Holland at the European Champs! Sights now firmly set on Olympic success! 🏅🏅 pic.twitter.com/9GswWeqEIs

— Jack Rex Burnell (@jackburnell) July 10, 2016

The Loughborough swimmer has continued his form in the 10km event into this season, winning silver at the World Cup leg in Abu Dhabi in February.

And he held his own in a world-class field again to lift a maiden European medal, improving on his sixth place from the 2014 Europeans in Berlin.

Top 10 spots for Hughes and Huskisson

Burnell’s Loughborough University teammate Caleb Hughes was also in action in the men’s event in the Netherlands.

The 20-year old was never out of the top eighth through the 2.5km splits, ultimately finishing sixth in 1:55:25.0.

Earlier in the day, Danielle Huskisson was in action in the women’s 10km race, finishing eighth. The 23-year old was just 10 seconds shy of the podium as she came home in 2:07.13.7.

Happy with my 8th place finish today in the 10k! 😃 Need to rest up now and get ready for the 5k time trial on Tuesday 🏊 #norestforthewicked

— Danielle Huskisson (@Danielle_Huski) July 10, 2016

Hughes and Huskisson will both return for Tuesday’s 5km Time Trial event, while Jay Lelliott will also be in action.

• View full results from the 2016 European Open Water Championships in Hoorn.