PR 9 - 10km and Grand Prix races mobilise the best in Argentina

Lausanne (SUI), February 4, 2013 – The two races held this week-end in Viedma and Santa Fe (Argentina) – the second stop of the FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup and FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix 2013, respectively – featured high-level competition and close finishes among both men and women.

A record 49 swimmers (19 women and 30 men) from 11 countries took the departure in Viedma on February 2. Buoyed by his first success in Race 1, Frenchman Romain Beraud reclaimed a spot at the top (1h50m21s), beating compatriot Damien Cattin Vidal (1h50m30s) and German open water star Thomas Lurz (1h50m38s), for second and third, respectively.

Among women, it was another victory for Emily Brunemann (USA, 1h59m51s), who put four seconds between herself and second-place finisher Ana Marcela Cunha (BRA, 1h59m55s). The bronze went to Nadine Reichert from Germany (1h59m58s). 2012 Olympic champion in marathon swimming, Hungarian Eva Risztov, took fifth.

On February 3, 25 swimmers (8 women and 17 men) from 10 countries braved the 57km Santa Fe-Coronda race. Italy’s Simone Ercoli, winner of Race 1, won in convincing fashion, touching home in 8h22m22s61. The Argentinian delegation took the spotlight with Guillermo Bertola (8h22m26s58) and Damian Blaum (8h22m41s22) placing second and third, respectively.

Among women, Russia’s Olga Kozydub improved from her bronze in Rosario, touching first in 8h37m35s67. Silvie Rybarova (CZE, 8h43m25s32) was second while Esther Nunez (ESP, 8h46m34s46) settled for third.

Full FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup 2013 calendar:

Race 1: January 27, 2013 in Santos (BRA)
Race 2: February 2, 2013 in Viedma (ARG)

NEXT RACE: March 1, 2013 in Eilat (ISR)

Race 4: April 13, 2013 in Cancun (MEX)
Race 5: July 25, 2013 in Lac St-Jean (CAN)
Race 6: August 10, 2013 in Lac Megantic (CAN)
Race 7: October 6, 2013 in Hong Kong (HKG)
Race 8: October 13, 2013 in Shantou (CHN)

Full FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix 2013 calendar:
Race 1: January 27, 2013 in Rosario (ARG)
Race 2: February 3, 2013 in Santa Fe-Coronda (ARG)
NEXT RACE: February 10, 2013 in Hernandarias-Parana (ARG)
Race 4: April 20, 2013 in Cancun (MEX)
Race 5: July 27, 2013 in Lac St-Jean (CAN)
Race 6: August 3, 2013 in Lac Magog (CAN)
Race 7:  August 24, 2013 in Ohrid Lake (MKD)
Race 8:  September 1, 2013 in Capri-Napoli (ITA)