American Laura Bennett and Russia’s Dmitry Polyansky finished the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series as the leaders of the new-for-2010 Best Swimmer Rankings. The ITU Best Segment Rankings were introduced earlier this year to reward the most consistent swimmers, bikers and runners throughout the season. A total of $60,000 (USD) is awarded to the top-three athletes in each discipline.

Bennett finished well ahead of the field in the women’s Best Swimmer Rankings, leading a group of three American women finishing in the top four.  The American veteran wrapped up the season with a total of 86 points, scoring the maximum of 20 points at three events by exiting the water first. Behind Bennett was teammate Sarah Haskins, who was the top swimmer at the Series Grand Final in Budapest on September 12. Haskins, who finishes the year with 72 points, was also the top swimmer at the second round of the Series in Seoul in May. Rounding out the top three was this year’s ITU World Champion, Emma Moffatt of Australia.

Final Rankings/Prize Money (USD)
1. Laura Bennett (USA) 86 points, $5,000
2. Sarah Haskins (USA) 72 points, $3,000
3. Emma Moffatt (AUS) 54 points, $2,000
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Polyansky, who was first to exit the water in Sydney and Madrid, finishes out this year as the top men’s swimmer, scoring 83 total points. Behind the Russian was France’s Frederic Belaubre, who was never far behind Polyansky on the swim this season. Belaubre finished with 66 points, putting him 19 points ahead of Javier Gomez, the 2010 ITU World Champion.

Final Rankings/Prize Money (USD)
1. Dmitry Polyansky (RUS) 88 points, $5,000
2. Frederic Belaubre (FRA) 66 points, $3,000
3. Javier Gomez (ESP) 47 points, $2,000
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