Lausanne (SUI), April 21, 2013 – After triumphing on April 13 in the Mexican leg of the FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup 2013, held for the first time in Cozumel, Martina Grimaldi from Italy repeated the success in the 15km-effort counting for the FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix 2013 on April 20, touching home in 3h21m44s. In all, 70 participants (26 women and 44 men) from 21 countries took part in the Grand Prix event.
In a hard-fought race, which attracted many participants from the 10km circuit, Italy’s Simone Ruffini emerged victorious in the men’s race, clocking 3h03m22s and beating main challenger Brian Ryckeman from Belgium, second in 3h03m36s. Simone Ercoli (ITA), winner of Race 1 and 2 in Argentina this season, secured the bronze in a time of 3h03m40s.
In the women’s field, Olympic bronze medallist Grimaldi was followed by German veteran Angela Maurer, second in 3h21m47s and compatriot Rachele Bruni, third in 3h21m55s. Bruni was also bronze medallist in the 10km in the same waters a week earlier. For most medallists, this is their first success in the Grand Prix circuit.
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)
Race 3: February 10, 2013 in Hernandarias-Parana (ARG)
Race 4: April 20, 2013 in Cozumel (MEX)
NEXT RACE: 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)
SNZ Events
Epic Swim
High Performance