Ercoli (ITA) and Nunez (ESP) reach highest podium in Rosario

OPEN WATER INDONESIA - Lausanne (SUI), January 28, 2013 – Rosario, in Argentina, welcomed 32 swimmers from 11 countries for the inaugural race of the FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix 2013 on Sunday January 27.

In the 15km event, Italy’s Simone Ercoli emerged from a competitive field to win the race in a 1h51m03s effort. His compatriot Mario Sanzullo took silver in 1h51m08s20, finishing ahead of home favourite Guillermo Bertola, who clocked 1h51m08s76.

Among women, the podium was exclusively European with Spain’s Esther Nunez registering a clean win over main challengers Karla Sitic from Croatia and Russian Olga Kozydub. The Spanish touched first in 1h58m38s while second-place finisher Sitic completed the race in 2h01m14s. Kozydub secured the bronze in a time of 2h01m16s. 

Full FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix 2013 calendar:

Race 1: January 27, 2013 in Rosario (ARG)
NEXT RACE: February 3, 2013 in Santa Fe-Coronda (ARG)
Race 3: February 10, 2013 in Hernandarias-Parana (ARG)
Race 4: April 20, 2013 in Cancun (MEX)
Race 5: 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)