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The start of something extraordinary

PR 27 - 10km 2014: Olympians Grimaldi (ITA) and Lurz (GER) touch first in Cancun

Lausanne (SUI), April 6, 2014 – 75 marathon swimmers (34 women and 41 men) took the departure in Cancun (MEX) on April 5 for the second stage of the FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup 2014, which featured extraordinarily close finishes in both races.

Among the men’s tough competitive field, 2012 Olympic silver medallist Thomas Lurz (GER) took out the race in 1h56m44s. The German veteran, who has totalled 20 wins in the FINA 10km circuit since 2007, registered his first win of the year in Cancun. Italy's Simone Ruffini touched home a hundredth of a second later, in 1h56m45s while Brazilian Diogo Villarinho completed the podium, clocking 1h56m46s.

The women’s race also featured an experienced field of open water swimmers with 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Martina Grimaldi of Italy winning the event in 2h12m37s. Reigning World champion Poliana Okimoto (BRA), first in Viedma, powered home to take second in a time of 2h12m38s while compatriot Ana Marcela Cunha, second in Viedma, claimed third spot, in 2h12m39s.

FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup 2014 calendar:

Race 1: February 1 in Viedma (ARG)
Race 2: April 5 in Cancun (MEX)

NEXT RACE: June 28 in Setubal (POR)
Race 4: July 24 in Lac St. Jean (CAN)
Race 5: July 31 in Lac Magog (CAN)
Race 6: August 9 in Lac Megantic (CAN)
Race 7: October 4 in Hong Kong (HKG)