European Junior Open Water Swimming Championships, Setubal (POR) – Here come the next generations

 

The season of LEN’s age-group events kicks off at the Portugal coastline in one of the open water swimmers’ paradise, Setubal. The continents’ best teen-aged athletes gather to compete in three different age-group categories over three distances, then the usual relay contests will end the meet.

A bit earlier than usual, the junior Europeans get under way on Friday in Setubal where the European Junior Open Water Swimming Championships take place.

The Portugal city hosted several great open water meets including Olympic qualifiers and the annual FINA Marathon Swim World Series stop – the last one was staged last week, so the greatest ones of the sport ‘paved the way’ for the next generations.

The schedule will be the same as in the past years: the 14-15 year-old athletes race over 5km, followed by the 7.5km event for the 16-17 years old. The oldest ones swim the Olympic distance of 10km on the second day and the meet concludes with two relays, in the third day, both over 5km – first for the U16 boys and girls, then came the U19 as the highlight of the competition.

The recent editions saw the Hungarians dominating, though the French, the Italians and the Germans usually have their say as well, just like at the elite level.

SCHEDULE

 

3 June, Friday

11:30 Men’s 5km

11:40 Women’s 5km

17.00 Men’s 7.5km

17.10 Men’s 7.5km

 

4 June, Saturday

17.30 Men’s 10km

17.40 Women’s 10km

 

5 June, Sunday

12.00 Mixed relay, U16

14.00 Mixed relay, U19