Kristof Rasovszky, from Hungary, and Ana Marcela Cunha, representing Brazil, were the winners of the fourth leg of the 2019 FINA/CNSG Marathon Swim World Series, held today in Lake Balaton (HUN). In home waters, the Magyar star completed the 10km in 1h50m12s7, while the South American ace was the best in the women’s category in 1h58m45s4. With these victories, both swimmers consolidated their lead of this season’s general ranking.
In the men’s race, Rasovszky, who had been silver medalist in Doha (QAT) and third also this year in Seychelles, perfectly controlled the pace of his main challengers, namely the Olympic and world champion Ferry Weertman, from the Netherlands, runner-up un Balatonfured in a time of 1h50m19s2. Soren Meissner, from Germany, got the bronze in the men’s field, touching in 1h50m22s5.
In the women’s competition, Cunha’s victory was expected, after previous successes this year in the Qatari capital and also in Setubal (POR). Ana Marcela Cunha is one of the best-ever female open water swimmers in the history of the FINA World Championships and had already won the race in Balaton in 2015 and 2018.
The minor medals among women went to Arianna Bridi (ITA), silver in 1h58m46s2, and to Germany’s Leonie Beck, closely behind in 1h58m46s8.
The Series resumes on July 21 in Lac St Jean (CAN) for the fifth-out-of-nine leg.
You can read a detailed race report on FINA website, results are available on FINA mobile app and FINA website and you can rewatch in VoD on FINAtv.
Medalists in Balatonfured (HUN):
MEN
1. Kristof Rasovszky (HUN), 1h50m12s7; 2. Ferry Weertman (NED), 1h50m19s2; 3. Soren Meissner (GER), 1h50m22s5
WOMEN
1. Ana Marcela Cunha (BRA), 1h58m45s4; 2. Arianna Bridi (ITA), 1h58m46s2 ; 3. Leonie Beck (GER), 1h58m46s8
Calendar 2019
#1 – Doha (QAT) – February 16
#2 – Seychelles (SEY) – May 12
#3 – Setubal (POR) – June 8
#4 – Balatonfured (HUN) – June 15
#5 – Lac St Jean (CAN) – July 21
#6 – Lac Megantic (CAN) – August 3
#7 – Ohrid (MKD) – August 28
#8 – Chinese Taipei (TPE) – September 7
#9 – Chun’An (CHN) – September 29