Marc-Antoine Olivier (FRA) and Ana
Marcela Cunha (BRA) celebrated their first victory of the season on Saturday
March 13, in Doha (QAT), at the first leg of the FINA/CNSG Marathon Swim World
Series 2021 .
After a long break with no
international meets, Olympic bronze medallist Olivier touched home in 1h52m02s4
and took gold in Katara Beach, in front of Hungary's star Kristof Rasovszky
(1h52m05s5) and Italy's Gregorio Paltrinieri (1h52m07s9).
Olivier, 24, termed his victory in
the season-opening race important: “It was a difficult race because of high
waves and I am so happy to win here again. I started slowly and picked pace [in
the last three laps], as I followed the last year’s plan in which I was
successful,” he said.
“This first meet was so important because
it is an Olympic year and my win here is crucial,” Olivier added.
Cunha emerged victorious in the
women's race in a photo finish (2h01m30s3), while the second and third steps of
the podium were taken by France's Oceane Cassignol (2h01m30s8) and Germany's
Lea Boy (2h01m31s9).
Brazilian star Cunha was elated with
her close victory in Doha that marked the return of Marathon Series after over
a year: “The level of the race in presence of athletes who are preparing for
the Olympics was very tough. There was a lot of wind but I like swimming in
these conditions. These conditions make the race tougher for every contender,”
Cunha said.
Results in Doha (QAT)
MEN
1. Marc-Antoine Olivier (FRA)
1h52m02s4
2. Kristof Rasovszky (HUN) 1h52m05s5
3. Gregorio Paltrinieri (ITA)
1h52m07s9
WOMEN
1. Ana Marcela Cunha (BRA) 2h01m30s3
2. Oceane Cassignol (FRA) 2h01m30s8
3. Lea Boy (GER) 2h01m31s9
The Qatar Swimming Association, which
will host the Doha 2023 FINA World Championships, organised the event by
adhering to all COVID-19 protocols advised by the Ministry of Public Health
(MoPH), and also to the specific FINA guidelines for open water swimming.
The 2021 calendar of the FINA
Marathon Swim World Series unfolds as follows:
March 13, Doha (QAT)
May 9, Seychelles (SEY)
June 12, Budapest (HUN)
June 19, Setubal (POR)
July 25, Lac St-Jean (CAN)
August 7, Lac Mégantic (CAN)
August 28, Ohrid (MKD)
September 11, Nantou (TPE)
tbc, Chun’an (CHN)
October 17, Hong Kong (HKG)
You can re-watch the races on FINAtv
and a detailed news report is available on FINA website . Photos and videos are
on FINA social media.
Fédération Internationale de Natation
(FINA)
The Fédération Internationale de
Natation, founded in 1908, is the governing body for aquatics worldwide. FINA's
five discipline Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Diving, Water Polo and Artistic
Swimming - are all included in the Olympic programme. High Diving made its
first appearance in FINA events at the 2013 FINA World Championships. FINA
counts 209 affiliated National Federations on the five continents and has its
headquarters in Lausanne (SUI).
No comments:
Post a Comment