Swimming New Zealand homepage

The start of something extraordinary

PR 26 - Grand Prix 2014: Maurer (GER) and Ferry (NED) dominate in Cancun

Lausanne (SUI), March 30, 2014 – A total 36 swimmers (14 women and 22 men) from 16 countries took the plunge in the third leg of the FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix 2014, organised in Cancun (MEX) on March 29.
 
Powerful Angela Maurer from Germany took out the women’s race in 3h 25m 26s3. It is the first podium for Maurer in the Grand Prix circuit this year, who won by the slimmest of margins ahead of Anna Olasz from Hungary (3h25m27s2). Local swimmer Melissa Villasenor created a sensation, making her Grand Prix podium debut with the bronze in a time of 3h31m22s6. Argentina’s Pilar Geijo finished at the podium’s door in 3h 31m 48s2.

The men’s race was won by Dutch Weertman Ferry in 3h 04m 06s3. Ferry bested veteran Simone Ercoli of Italy, second in 3h 04m 07s8 and compatriot Marcel Schouten, third in 3h 05m 14s6. These podium appearances are a nice boost for the three medallists, who have been regular competitors in the FINA Grand Prix circuit for several years.