Open Water Swimming FINA Marathon World Series 2019

phelps · February 15, 2019

Open Water Swimming FINA Marathon World Series 2019

Multi-Stage Event - 16 February 2019 - 29 September 2019

Official Website

phelps · February 15, 2019

Season's Calendar

phelps · February 15, 2019

Leading swimmers confirmed for inaugural FINA Marathon Swim World Series 2019 in Doha

The FINA Marathon Swim World Series 2019 is just around the corner with the inaugural leg to be hosted in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday, February 16th.

Entry lists for both the men and women's races includes Olympic and World champions as well as many of the sport's top-ranked athletes.

A total of 135 swimmers (84 male and 51 female athletes) from 24 countries have signed up for the first meet of the 10km circuit to be staged at the scenic Doha Corniche.

Leading long-distance swimmers taking part are reigning Olympic and World champions Sharon Van Rouwendaal (NED) and Ana Marcela Cunha (BRA), who is also the overall winner of the FINA Marathon Swim World Series 2018, 2014, 2012 and 2010.

Other top swimmers include Rio Olympic silver medallist Rachele Bruni (ITA), World Series veteran and European champion Arianna Bridi (ITA) and former World champion Angela Maurer (GER).

In the men’s line-up, overall Series winner in 2016 and 2017 Simone Ruffini (ITA), 2018 Series runner-up Jack Burnell (GBR) and Florian Wellbrock (GER) will also be present, while Gregorio Paltrinieri (ITA) and Jordan Wilimovsky (USA) are other strong medal contenders to watch for on Saturday.

Germany and Italy have sent the biggest teams – 13 swimmers each – to Doha.

USA (12 swimmers), China (11) and Hungary (10) have also arrived in the Qatari capital with big contingents.

President of Qatar Swimming Association (QSA) and FINA Bureau member Mr. Khaleel Al-Jabir said that preparations are on track for the competition.

“Preparations for the event are progressing well and according to our plans. In few days time, our team will welcome the best open water swimmers of the world in this magnificent set up on the Doha Corniche”.

“Doha's competition was a successful opener of the World Series in 2018, setting the pace for the coming meets. 135 swimmers will compete in this year’s event, which will be a new participation record. It will be a promising and exciting competition as many Olympic medallists and World Championships winners will compete in a stunning set up,” he concluded.

The 2019 circuit will then move to the Seychelles for a race on May 12.

You can follow Saturday's race in Doha live on FINAtv and results will be available on FINA mobile app or on FINA website.

phelps · February 15, 2019

First 10km race to be staged in stunning Doha corniche, a qualifiying event to World Championships

The first race of the FINA Marathon Swim World Series 2019 is about to take place, once more, at Doha’s stunning Corniche.

Extending for seven kilometres along Doha Bay in Qatar’s capital, the Corniche is a waterfront promenade and the centrepiece for the city.

The athletes will be competing over the 10km course with four laps of 2.5km. Doha’s central business district and the bold shapes of the Museum of Islamic Art form the stunning backdrop for this race.

With two days before the race, training swim sessions took place on the course.

Conditions were good with the water temperature in the bay at around 20.5 degrees C and air temp reaching 23 degrees C.

With less than five months before the FINA World Championships in South Korea, the first leg of the FINA Marathon Swim Series is important for the swimmers to not only test their own form but also to see how they compare with other swimmers this season.

The event is also being used by several countries as a qualifying event for the their national teams to compete in the World Championships.

In the 2018 edition of the Series in Doha, the Netherlands reigned supreme with wins from two Olympic Champions: Sharon Van Rouwendaal and Ferry Weertman, although Ferry Weertman will not be competiting this year as he is still on a training camp.

This year should be an even bigger test with appoximately 88 male and 60 female athletes from countries all vying for the top positions (the only major absence being the French team).

The race will be held on Saturday February 16 at 09:00 (Women) and 13:00 (Men) local time.

The top table of the Press Conference hosted by former swimmer Nada Arakji (Qatars’ first female to compete in the Olympics) included Khaleel Al-Jabir (President Qatar Swimming Association), John West (Fina Technical Delegate) and the elite athlete representatives Sharon Van Rouwendaal (NED) and Simone Ruffini (ITA).

Khaleel Al-Jabir said: “This year is an important race as it is good preparation for the FINA Open Water World Championships. We are very pleased with the growth in the numbers for this elite race on the Corniche and we are looking forward for the race to start and we wish all the athletes good luck. This is a good step for us as Qatar will host the FINAWorld Championship in 2023 including the Marathon Swimming event, so this helps us prepare towards 2023 and work closely with FINA. We have a lot of local Qatar swimmers, although they are still relatively young at 16 and 17 to be competing against world class athletes such as Sharon Van Rouwendaal and Simone Ruffini, but it is great experience for them and we are expecting a lot for the future.“

John West said: “Over the past few days we have been at the venue reviewing all the arrangements of the competition and we are very pleased with the level of organisation. We would like to thank the Qatar Swimming association for their support in this event.”

Sharon Van Rowendaal said: “Conditions are looking really good, I like the water temperature (approx. 20.5 degrees), the course is excellent like last year and its good to be back in Doha. Last year I won this race and I think that I’m feeling really strong, but the other girls will be strong as well. As it’s a qualifying event for some teams, the teams will be strong. It depends on how I feel on the day what my tactics will be, with large numbers you will have to watch what others do and watch out for any breaks in the pack.”

Simone Ruffini: “I’m really happy to be here in Doha. I’m feeling strong for this race and as this is a qualifying event for the Italian team for the World Champs, this is very important to me. I’m also happy that there are lots of swimmers in this race."

You can follow all the action on FINAtv and get regular updates on FINA social media.

phelps · February 16, 2019

Stage #1 (Doha, QAT)

Cunha of Brazil and Wellbrock of Germany touch home first in Doha 10km race

Florian Wellbrock of Germany and Ana Marcela Cunha of Brazil were the fastest today in Doha, Qatar, the inaugural leg of the FINA Marathon Swim Series 2019.

Wellbrock touched home first in 1h52m21s6, while Hungary's Kristof Rasovsky was second in 1h52m22s8.

United States' Jordan Wilimovsky completed the podium, clocking a time of 1h52m24s4.

Italy's long distance star Gregorio Paltrinieri was fourth in 1h52m28s1.

In the women's race, 2018 overall Series winner Cunha clocked the best time in 2h03m52s5, while newcomer Kareena Lee of Australia secured the second position in 2h03m52s0 and Italy's veteran Rachele Bruni clinched the bronze medal in 2h03m53s0.

Olympic champion and last year winner in Doha Sharon Van Rouwendaal (NED) ended in the twelfth position this morning in 2h04m05s2.

The Series resumes on May 12 in the Seychelles (SEY) for the second-out-of-nine leg, before heading to Portugal and Hungary.

Edited February 16, 2019 by phelps