Courtesy: FINA
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 16. 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 medalist 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 medalists 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.
#1 – Doha (QAT) – February 16
#2 – Seychelles (SEY) – May 12
#3 – Setubal (POR) – June 8
#4 – Balatonfured (HUN) – June 15
#5 – Lac St Jean (CAN) – July 21
#6 – Lac Megantic (CAN) – August 3
#7 – Ohrid (MKD) – August 28
#8 – Chinese Taipei (TPE) – September 7
#9 – Chun’An (CHN) – September 29