European 25K champion Margarita Domínguez will swim the 10K and 25K. The 2008 World 10K bronze medalist and 2008 Olympian Yurema Requena (shown on left, 13th in Beijing) will swim the 5K and 10K and the 2007 FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix champion Esther Núñez will swim the 25K.
Diego Nogueira will have a full plate in Rome and will swim the 5K, 10K and 25K and Olympian José Hervás (13th in Beijing) will swim the 5K and 10K.
The Spaniards are an experienced team with years of battling it out in waterways around the world, including venues at the FINA World Cup, FINA Grand Prix, World Championships, LEN Cup, European Championships and the Olympic Games.
Personal Invitation to an Open Water Swim
24.Jun.09 | posted by: open water admin | filed under: Races | (0) comments
The Ohio Open Water Swimming Championships are being held today in East Fork Lake State Park - and the race organizers have an innovative way to develop interest in their event. Because the Ohio Open Water Swimming Championships used the USA Swimming national BB times in the 200 freestyle for the 10&U and 400/500 Free for those over the age of 11 as minimum time standards, they drew from a large lot of potential participants. After tracking the potential qualifiers, they prepared a customized invitation for each swimmer and printed the personal invitation on blue parchment paper. They prepared 1,380 personal invitations for US$400 and distributed them to all local swimming teams. The swimmers received their invitation in their local pool swimming meet folders or at their team award banquets.
It was a great way to develop strong interest in the growing sport - we'll report on their event later today.
The event can be followed by Twitter with the 10-year-olds doing a 1K, 11-12 year olds doing a 2K, 13-14 year olds doing a 3K and the 15-year-olds and over doing a 4K.
Olympian Rostislav Vitek of the Czech Republic and home favorite Camilla Frediani won the 2009 Maratona Del Golfo Capri-Napoli, the fifth stage of the FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix.
Rotislav easily dominated the 36K ocean race in 6 hours and 42 minutes, 14 minutes ahead of second-place Andrea Volpini (6:56) of Italy. Italy's Edoardo Stochino (7:04), Argentina's Gabriel Villagoiz (7:08) and Syria's Mohammed Saleh (7:17) followed.
22-year-old Camilla won in 7:59, easily ahead of silver medalist Pilar Geijo (8:10) and Marianela Mendoza (8:30), both from Argentina, Italy's Laura Volpi (8:40) and Argentina's Noelia Petti (8:55).
Photo by Jiří Seidl.
Newly Approved FINA Swimsuit List
22.Jun.09 | posted by: open water admin | filed under: Rules | (0) comments
Under the interim regulations of the Dubai Charter, FINA announced today its approval of dozens of additional swimsuit models from 20 different manufacturers. The announcement will lead to follow-up announcements by national governing bodies and some quick decisions by swimmers worldwide.
Dozens of technical swimsuits were resubmitted - with modifications - to FINA and its Swimsuit Commission after the first group of swimsuits were approved in May. According to FINA, in some cases, the manufacturers submitted explanations why the construction or material of their swimsuits does not create air trapping effects.
FINA determined that evidence of 'in use' air trapping effect is complex, requiring additional time and resources to create and implement comprehensive control mechanisms and objective test procedures to review the air trapping effects.
The approved swimsuits for the FINA World Swimming Championships in Rome from July 17th to August 2nd must be labelled and will be checked in Rome prior to competition. The rules regarding shape, use of only one swimsuit and no taping will be strictly applied and controlled in the call room before all pool swimming and open water swimming events.
We only wonder what swimsuits - and training equipment - the next generation of swimmers and coaches will employ in their pursuit of swimming better.
Ambassador Extraordinaire Signs with Blueseventy
18.Jun.09 | posted by: open water admin | filed under: Swimmers | (0) comments
"We are thrilled to sign Maarten," says Roque Santos, Vice President of Swimming at blueseventy. "I was in Beijing, where Maarten wore our nero 10K suit. It was amazing to watch him take the gold in blueseventy. Maarten is truly an incredible person and his story is one for the ages."
Although Maarten was not considered to be a pre-race favorite by the mainstream media, we had identified Maarten in a pre-Olympic article as a darkhorse favorite based on his training regimen leading up to the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim.
In the August 4, 2008 article, we compared Maarten with 1964 Olympic hero Billy Mills who won a thrilling 10,000-meter run in Tokyo. In the article, we predicted, "...Someone - perhaps Natalie du Toit or Maarten van der Weijden - in the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim is going to have a tremendous surge at the end of the 10K swim and go down in Olympic history at the first Olympic 10K Marathon Swim champion..."
Like Billy Mills who has lived his life inspiring others as a true Olympic role model, Maarten's life and exploits are truly one for the ages as Roque describes.
The Blue Waters of the Black Sea
12.Jun.09 | posted by: open water admin | filed under: Races | (0) comments
Varna was founded in the 6th century BC and, over the modern era, has hosted 438 international competitions of various sports including a long, proud history of open water swimming events. The Bulgarian’s People Marine Agreement (BPMA) was established in 1923 with the goal of developing Bulgarian swimming. In 1939, the 4K Galata-Varna Swimming Marathon was started with only one break (in 1944 due to World War II) since.
The competition will have an in-the-water start with a water temperature of 24-26°C (75-78°F). Participants must be registered members of their own domestic national governing body (e.g., British Swimming, Swimming Canada). Entry forms can be downloaded from the FINA website or the Varna 10K website. The host hotel is the Hotel Cherno which is a 10-minute walk from the competition venue.
The distribution of the prize money for men and women is as follows: 1st US$2,500 2nd USD$2,000 3rd US$1,500 4th US$1,200 5th US$1,000 6th US$800 7th US$600 8th US$400
"I ate a salad sandwich this morning," said John minutes before the race started.
"I always have butterflies in my stomach." But, he seemed to make up for throughout the day. "I ate Gu gel packs, marshmellows - the big kind - bananas, Gatorade, aspirin and those Starbucks frappuccino® drinks."
While it is obvious that John burned through a lot of calories while he maintained a steady 78 stroke-per-minute pace throughout the day, it was his kayaker Richard who had to manage this aquatic deli. "Yeah, I would take my food and drink, then take 7 or 8 strokes backstroke to stretch out before starting over again, mate," John explained.
Not only will these top swimmers compete for US$5,000 given to the individual who breaks and sets the current course record, but also for US$25,000 given to the individual who sets the open water swimming one-mile world record.
The world record for the open water mile is 16:00 minutes for the men and 17:21 for the women. American Olympian Chad Carvin holds the current men's Flowers Sea Swim record of 17:20 and 3-time Olympic gold medalist Brooke Bennett holds the women's course record of 18:13 (shown on the Wheaties cereal box).
Additionally, the Flowers Group is randomly giving away US$100,000 in cash and prizes to anyone who enters before race day on June 20th.
So even if you do not set the world or course record, you still have a chance at some valuable prizes. FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee chairman Sid Cassidy says, "The Flowers Family ALWAYS puts a GREAT race and celebration together ... if you've never been, put it on your list of must do's!" The prizes include trips to London, trips to Australia, trips to Toronto, cellular phones and 140 randomly drawn prizes.
The opportunities - to swim with the world's best and to compete for fabulous cash prizes and awards - is unheard of in today's open water swimming world.
Open Water Swim Volunteers Extraordinaire
5.Jun.09 | posted by: open water admin | filed under: Races | (0) comments
The Manhattan Island Marathon Swim is tomorrow and an incredible fact has surfaced: for every swimmer participating in the race, there are a total of 8 volunteers helping out in the water. From escort boat pilots and race referees to kayakers and paddlers, the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim is one of the rare open water swims where the volunteers far outnumber the athletes.
If the swim is cancelled or postponed for any reason during the race (e.g., lightening), the support crew notes the GPS location in their race log when they are informed of the postponement or cancellation. If the race is resumed, then the swimmer returns to the exact location noted in the race logo according to the GPS.
Q7. What two islands did Lynne Cox swim between when she crossed the Bering Strait? A7. Little Diomede (of the US) and Big Diomede (of Russia).
Q8. From 1978 to 2005, two Americans consecutively held the English Channel record. Who were they? A8. Penny Lee Dean (from 1978 to 1994) and Chad Hundeby (from 1994 to 2005).
Q9. Who was Petar Stoychev's escort boat pilot when he became the first person to break 7 hours across the English Channel? A9. Michael Oram.
Q10. What American swimmer won seven World Professional Marathon Swimming Federation titles during the 1980’s? For extra credit, whose record did he break? A10. Paul Asmuth broke John Kinsella’s previous record set between 1974 and 1979.
Q11. How many mothers competed in the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim at the Beijing Olympics? For extra credit, who were they? A11. Two, Angela Maurer of Germany who finished 4th and Edith van Dijk of The Netherlands who finished 14th.
Q12. In what country is the longest professional marathon swimming race held? For extra credit, how long is this race? A12. Argentina, the 88K (54 miles) Hernandarias-Parana FINA Grand Prix race.
Q13. Who is the current chairman of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame? For extra credit, how is the current secretary? A13. Kevin Murphy (of the UK). Dale Petranech is the secretary.
Q14. Have more than 15,000 people compete in the Midmar Mile nearly every year since 2005? For extra credit, how many Olympic swimmers competed in the 2009 Midmar Mile? A14. Yes, 13 Olympians competed in 2009.
Q16. How much money is won by the male and female winners of the RCP Tiburon Mile? A16. US$10,000.
Q17. When was the Rottnest Channel first swum? For extra credit, who did it? A17. Gerd von Dincklage-Schulenburg on January 24th, 1956.
Q18. How far was the longest professional marathon swim ever held in America? For extra credit, where was the race held and how many people finished the race? A18. 60 miles across Lake Michigan in 1963 with only two finishers (Abou-Heif and Ted Erickson).
Q19. What colors are the warning and disqualification cards in competitive open water swimming? A19. Yellow for warnings and red for disqualification.
Q20. How many transponders are used by each swimmer in FINA races or at the Olympics? A20. Two – one on each wrist.
Q21. What open water swimming distances are raced at the FINA World Swimming Championships and the FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships? A21. 5K, 10K and 25K.
Q24. Where will 2009 World Swimming Championships be held? A24. Ostia, Rome.
Q25. Who is considered the best professional marathon swimmer in the world today? Hint: She won the 2008 Olympic 10K Marathon Swim. For extra credit, what country is she from? A25. Larisa Ilchenko from Russia.
Great George… Great Shots on an Open Water Wednesday
3.Jun.09 | posted by: open water admin | filed under: Events | (0) comments
Q3. Who was the first person to swim across the Cook Strait? For extra credit, what year?
Q4. What famous beach did Keo Nakama finish on when he became the first person to swim across the Molokai Channel?
Q5. What serious illness did the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim gold medalist from The Netherlands overcome?
Q6. What famous professional swimmer got disqualified during the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim in Beijing?
Q7. What two islands did Lynne Cox swim between when she crossed the Bering Strait?
Q8. From 1978 to 2005, two Americans consecutively held the English Channel record. Who were they?
Q9. Who was Petar Stoychev's escort boat pilot when he became the first person to break 7 hours across the English Channel?
Q10. What American swimmer won seven World Professional Marathon Swimming Federation titles during the 1980’s? For extra credit, whose record did he break?
Q11. How many mothers competed in the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim at the Beijing Olympics? For extra credit, who were they?
Q12. In what country is the longest professional marathon swimming race held? For extra credit, how long is this race?
Q13. Who is the current chairman of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame? For extra credit, how is the current secretary?
Q14. Have more than 15,000 people compete in the Midmar Mile nearly every year since 2005? For extra credit, how many Olympic swimmers competed in the 2009 Midmar Mile?
Q16. How much money is won by the male and female winners of the RCP Tiburon Mile?
Q17. When was the Rottnest Channel first swum? For extra credit, who did it?
Q18. How far was the longest professional marathon swim ever held in America? For extra credit, where was the race held and how many people finished the race?
Q19. What colors are the warning and disqualification cards in competitive open water swimming?
Q20. How many transponders are used by each swimmer in FINA races or at the Olympics?
Q21. What open water swimming distances are raced at the FINA World Swimming Championships and the FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships?
Q22. How many professional open water swimming circuits are sanctioned by FINA? For extra credit, what is the formal name of these pro circuits?
Q24. Where will 2009 World Swimming Championships be held?
Q25. Who is considered the best professional marathon swimmer in the world today? Hint: She won the 2008 Olympic 10K Marathon Swim. For extra credit, what country is she from?
Last week in Israel, LEN adopted and enforced FINA's new approved swimsuit list at the first major international open water swimming competition held after the May 19th FINA ruling. Bruce Stratton, Chairman of USA Swimming's Rules & Regulations Committee, issued the following rule regarding this issue:
On May 19, 2009, FINA issued a list of swimsuits approved for competition. The approved list, which was effective immediately and is attached, includes 202 swimsuits. The Rules and Regulations Committee, under the provisions of Article 511.1, has the authority to alter or amend any provision of Part One of our rules to conform to the rules of FINA. Accordingly, effective immediately, Article 102.9 is amended as follows:
102.9.1A: Only swimwear approved by FINA, as reflected on its published list of approved swimwear, may be worn in any USA Swimming sanctioned or approved competition.
Since the FINA approved list only addressed new model swimsuits submitted by swimsuit manufacturers, swimmers will, until otherwise directed by FINA, also be able to wear traditional swimsuits not on the FINA approved list as long as the swimsuit meets the following criteria:
1. For female swimmers, the swimsuit shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulders or past the pelvis, and
2. For male swimmers, the swimsuit shall not extend above the navel or below the knees.
In addition to the 202 approved swimsuits on the attached FINA list, there were an additional 136 swimsuits that could be resubmitted to FINA for reconsideration and possible approval. The expected decision date for such approval is June 19, 2009. At such time as FINA publishes any list of additional swimsuits approved for competition, those additional swimsuits will also be approved for USA Swimming sanctioned or approved competitions.
FINA has also declared that only those permitted swimsuit models that are available to all World Championship competitors may be used at the FINA 2009 World Championships in Rome. To be consistent with this FINA requirement, only those permitted swimsuit models that are available to all competitors may be used at the 2009 ConocoPhillips USA Swimming National Championships and World Championship Trials to be held July 7-11, 2009, or at the 2009 USA Swimming Open Water World Championship Trials to be held June 14, 2009. To avoid confusion, availability is defined as follows:
1. The swimsuit manufacturer is present at the 2009 ConocoPhillips USA Swimming National Championships and World Championship Trials and/or USA Swimming Open Water World Championship Trials with its approved swimsuits available for all competitors on a purchase, loan, give-away or other basis, or
2. The swimsuit manufacturer has provided to USA Swimming a written representation in the form requested by USA Swimming that its approved swimsuit will be made available before July 7, 2009 to all World Championship Trials competitors and before June 14, 2009 to all Open Water Championship Trials competitors on a purchase, loan, or giveaway basis through retail stores, the internet, or other means. USA Swimming will publish a list of swimsuit manufacturers who have made this representation once they are received. Competitors may rely on this list as approval to wear a particular swimsuit model at either of the World Championship Trials.
As a result of the ruling, it was reported that most of the open water swimmers wore Speedo LZR's or Speedo Fastskin models at the LEN Open Water Swimming Cup. With only a few weeks before the USA Swimming and Swimming Canada joint World Open Water Championship Trials in Ft. Myers, Florida, we suspect many of the American and Canadian swimmers will make similarly choices.
