Anchorage Daily News

Alaska swimmer Micha Burden's bid for the U.S. Olympic team came up short on Saturday when the distance specialist finished 31st in the FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships in Seville, Spain.

The top 10 finishers race were guaranteed a berth in the Summer Games in Bejing, where marathon swimming will make its debut as an Olympic sport.

Burden's time in the 10-kilometer race was 2 hours, 4 minutes, 39.4 seconds, about 2 minutes and 37 seconds behind winner Larisa Ilchenko of Russia, who also won the world crown last year in Melbourne, Australia. Cassandra Patten of Great Britain was second, 3.1 seconds back, and Yurema Requena of Spain took third, 4.5 seconds behind.

Kirsten Groome was the top American in 21st place. Fifty swimmers completed Saturday's open water event, often called a "wrestling match in water" because of aggressive tactics.

Burden, a former Alaska high school state champion, swam four years at Service High and went on to compete at Pac-10 powerhouse California, where she was a two time All-American.

"I love the ocean, and I love being in the ocean," Burden said last year. "Every race is different ... it keep you on your toes. It's very aggressive."

So far, only one Alaskan has qualified for the Summer Games -- trapshooter Corey Cogdell of Eagle River,who won her sport's U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Kerrville, Texas.

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