Gianniotis (GRE) and Cunha (BRA) capture gold in Eilat (ISR)

Lausanne (SUI), MAJALAH AKUATIK INDONESIA – Hosting its first international open water swimming race, Eilat (ISR) welcomed 77 participants (41 men and 36 women) from 26 countries on April 1 for the third leg of the FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup 2012.

10km World champion Spyridon Gianniotis (GRE) continues his winning streak by taking his third consecutive gold in the men’s event in a time of 1h52m32s45. Closest challenger and 2011 World Cup winner Thomas Lurz (GER) cranked up his classic power sprint to finish second with a time of 1h52m36s25. Consistent performer Evgeny Drattsev (RUS), third in Viedma (ARG, Race 2), claimed his second bronze, clocking 1h52m36s45.

25km World champion Ana Marcela Cunha (BRA) was the best among women after powering home and racing for the win in a time of 2h02m37s45. The Brazilian improves from her third-place finish in Santos (BRA, Race 1). Ekaterina Seliverstova’s (RUS) silver-medal finish was the positive discovery of the competition. The 28-year-old crossed the line at 2h02m37s80 which led to her first podium appearance while teammate Anna Guseva came one second later to score the bronze (2h02m38s85).

FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup 2012 calendar:
Race 1: January 29 in Santos (BRA)
Race 2: February 4 in Viedma (ARG)
Race 3: April 1 in Eilat (ISR)
NEX RACE: April 24 in Cancun (MEX)
Race 5: July 26 in Lac St-Jean (CAN)
Race 6: August 11 in Lac Megantic (CAN)
Race 7: October 7 in Hong Kong (HKG)
Race 8: October 14 in Shantou (CHN)

Foto:

Women's podium: Ekaterina Seliverstova (RUS), Ana M. Cunha (BRA) and Anna Guseva (RUS)

(fina)