The current and up-and-coming open water swimming elite was on-hand on February 7 and 8 for two thrilling events: the opening legs of the FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup in Viedma (ARG) and FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix 2015, a 25km effort between Villa-Urquiza and Parana (ARG).
In Viedma, Simone Ruffini (ITA, one victory in Grand Prix Series in 2013) captured gold, rounding up in 1h55m10s28. Brazilians Allan do Carmo, 2014 overall winner, and Diogo Villarinho completed the podium with respective times of 1h55m12s44 and 1h55m16s40.
Rachelle Bruni took out the women’s race in 2h02m58s35. Kristel Kobrich (one victory in the 2008 Series) from Chile touched home in 2h02m59s25, picking up silver while local hope Cecilia Biagioli (one victory in the 2011 Series) finished third, clocking 2h03m09s54.
A total 86 swimmers (37 women and 49 men) from 20 countries took the departure in Viedma.
FINA/HOSA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup 2015 calendar:
Race 1: February 7 in Patagones-Viedma (ARG)
NEXT RACE: March 13 in Abu Dhabi (UAE, tbc)
Race 3: April 18 in Noumea (New Caledonia, FRA)
Race 4: May 2 in Cancun (MEX)
Race 5: June 20 in Balatonfured (Hungary)
Race 6: June 27 in Setubal (Portugal)
Race 7: July 23 in Lac St-Jean (CAN)
Race 8: July 30 in Lac Magog (CAN)
Race 9: August 8 in Lac Megantic (CAN)
Race 10: October 11 in Chun’an (CHN)
Race 11: October 17 in Hong Kong (HKG)
Swimming News is courtesy of FINA.