World Triathlon Derron and Priester hit Chengdu World Cup with one month of Olympic Qualification to go

 

Julie Derron (SUI) and Lasse Priester (GER) wear the number ones as latest chapter of Paris 2024 qualification story heads to Chengdu World Cup

The fifth World Cup stop of this Olympic year sees the circuit head to Chengdu, China, on Monday, where the battles for the medals as well as the points and performances that could help seal Paris 2024 qualification are on the line.

Starting out in Napier (NZL) in February before heading to Hong Kong, Lievin (FRA) and then Wollongong (AUS) last weekend, the World Cup tour now has three stages left within the qualification period: Chengdu, Huatulco and Samarkand. The heat is on.

And so it is to China that we head for an unusual Monday race, and a Chengdu circuit that first appeared on the schedule a decade ago in 2014. The two-lap, 1.5km swim transitions into a six-lap 40km bike, each loop with fast, rolling corners and two leg-busting dead turns, and then it's 4 x 2.5km run laps to the tape. Watch the action over on TriathlonLive.tv.

 

MEN'S PREVIEW

Schomburg and Priester going all-in

While Monday racing is something out of the ordinary, this is a course that the two top-ranked German athletes know well. Number one Lasse Nygaard Priester raced here in October, finishing 22nd after a poor swim left him too far off the pace to challenge despite a huge run effort. Jonas Schomburg was among the names to tackle the course for the first time back in 2014, as well as finishing 17th six months ago. Both will want to deliver this time around.

Priester’s World Cup win on a tough Karlovy Vary course back in 2021 remains his best result to date and one of four career podiums overall, while Schomburg’s first World Cup medal also came in the Czech hills, with bronze last year. Two fearless athletes, one place on the Paris 2024 start line the ultimate prize.

 

Hungarians on the hunt

Like Germany, Team Hungary are in a great position to qualify the maximum three men for Paris. Bence Bicsak finished 7th at Tokyo 2020, was fourth here in 2023, and is on paper the strong choice, but the 28-year-old has struggled recently to find race consistency that can allow his undoubted run ability to really shine. Bicsak’s last podium was bronze at WTCS Abu Dhabi in 2021 against the best in the world, so he knows he has it in him. This would be a great time to rediscover that form.

Mark Devay and Gabor Faldum are the other two Hungarian names in the frame for Paris. Both race here, both have been in solid form of late, arguably Faldum’s 12th place at the Test Event ahead of all three compatriots the most eye-catching evidence of his potential.

 

Tayler Reid ready to redeem

An unfortunate equipment penalty saw Tayler Reid (NZL) miss out on a podium in Woolongong, a moment that could light the fire of a big display here in China. A medal at his first-time hit out in Chengdu would be the perfect moment to show Team New Zealand that he is the man to join Hayden Wilde in Paris, and would certainly boost the chances a full trio of Kiwi men at the Games.

Third in the Asia Triathlon Championships a week ago, Junjie Fan is the top-ranked of the home athletes and starting his fifth World Cup. Aoba Yasumatsu continues to pursue his path to Paris for Japan, and Azerbaijan’s Rostislav Pevtsov chases a remarkable sixth podium here after one gold, three silver and a bronze to date. Fresh from E-World Championship silver in London, Britain’s Max Stapley (GBR) will want to reiterate his Olympic credentials on a continent that has seen some of his best results at this level, including silver in Yeongdo last August.

The first official event of the year for Team World Triathlon, the development squad helping athletes from nations with fewer resources to reach their Olympic goals, Chengdu welcomes Tyler Smith (BER) and Vitalii Vorontsov (UKR) onto the start line, while Badr Siwane of Morocco starts with his Games debut still a possibility if results go his way.

Further names to watch looking to covert their recent displays into medal-winning performances include Denmark’s Emil Holm, Italy’s Michele Sarzilla and Chilean Gaspar Riveros as this Olympic season gathers some serious momentum.

 

WOMEN'S PREVIEW

Derron ready to push on in 2024

It has been a strong sequence of results from Switzerland’s Julie Derron that sees her assume the race number one, reaching back to her last race in China in 2019 and a career-first gold in Weihai. Back-to-back silvers in Arzachena, a Karlovy Vary gold, the 2022 European title and bronze in the Mixed Relay World Championships last year all underline what this powerful 27-year-old is capable of.

The exertions of her familiar hauling of chasing bike packs up to the leaders has taken a toll in the past, but a 7th-fastest 10km run split to finish 8th at last year’s Championship Finals Pontevdera again suggested big things lie ahead. The gap to the front pack out of the water could be the difference between top 10 and top of the podium on Monday morning for the Swiss number one.

 

Lin looking for breakthrough finish

Fourth here last year remains Xinyu Lin’s - and indeed her country’s - best result of all time at this level, so China’s Asian Games silver medallist would love to register a first World Cup podium on home soil to kickstart her Olympic ambitions. If she can find her stride after an hour in the saddle, Lin could be ready to secure that historic first World Cup medal for China.

With a place in Paris looking ever more assured, New Zealand’s Nicole Van Der Kaay will be seeking more Olympic-distance form after her solid 13th place in Quarteira last month. The Kiwi has been building back from a major accident suffered racing Super League last year, but the memory of her first World Cup win 14 months ago in New Plymouth will be powering her on once more on Monday.

 

Italians racing for Paris

Ilaria Zane and Alice Betto sit at 34th and 48th in the Olympic Rankings heading into race week, knowing that either sitting inside the top 30 at the end of May would likely see Italy secure the maximum three quota places in Paris. Zane was third here last October, while Betto won Brasilia gold the same weekend. This will be a fascinating encounter between two compatriots who, remarkably, haven’t crossed the line at the same individual race since 2018. That race? The Cagliari World Cup. The results? Betto finished 7th, Zane 8th.

The strongest South American challenge for medals will again come from Ecuador’s Elizabeth Bravo, while Mexico’s rising star Sofia Rodriguez Moreno, the Continental bronze medallist in Miami last month behind the Ecuadorian, will also be looking to feature. Bravo has put together some strong finishes of late and knows well what it takes to podium at this level.

Elsewhere, Sweden’s 2022 Junior World Champion Tilda Mansson strode to her third World Cup victory last weekend. Her best performances to date may have all come at the sprint distance, but this will be another good test of her mettle over the Olympic, as the 19-year-old continues to make moves towards an exciting Games debut at Paris 2024.

 

Team World Triathlon gathers

Chengdu will also be Team World Triathlon’s first official race of 2024. The squad for athletes from smaller nations is provided precious coaching and travel support at specific events in their quest to qualify for Paris, and will include the in-form Erica Hawley of Bermuda, Colombia’s Maria Carolina Velasquez Soto and Zuzana Michalikova. The Slovakian currently stands just ten places ahead of compatriot Romana Gajdosova in what could be the race for the New Flag position in Paris.

 

Elsewhere on the start list, Lotte Miller (NOR) returns to the blue carpet for the first time since October hoping her back injury is behind her, Mansson’s 2021 Junior World Championship rival Jule Behrens (GER) starts only her third World Cup, and Aquathlon World Champion Zsanett Kuttor-Bragmayer (HUN) chases her first World Cup podium since Haeundae 2021.

Paralympics Ireland Ní Riain, Turner and Brady All To Contest Finals on Day 5 of the European Championships

 

Róisín Ní Riain was back in the pool this morning on day 5 of the European Championships for the heat of the 50m freestyle event. She placed third in her heat (7th overall) which sees her through to her fourth final of the championships.

Teammates Turner and Brady will face off again this evening in the 50m freestyle final.

20:09: Women's 50m Freestyle S13 Final (Róisín Ní Riain)

19:40: Women's 50m Freestyle S6 Final (Nicole Turner, Dearbhaile Brady)

USA Water Polo Campaigns Launch Today, Building Excitement For Paris 2024

 

Irvine, CA - April 25, 2024 - With less than 100 days until the start of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, USA Water Polo is excited to unveil an inspiring campaign featuring the women's and men's national teams. Through slow-motion sequences and breathtaking shots of the teams in action, viewers are invited to witness the extraordinary dedication and skill of the water polo national team athletes. The new commercials highlight both teams' unwavering determination as they strive to represent the United States on the world stage.

 The first commercial, titled "Rule the Water," showcases the three-time Olympic gold medal winning USA Women's National Team celebrating the return to Paris for the Olympics, exactly a century after the Games were last held in the City of Light. The spot reminds viewers of the tremendous growth of women's sports in that time and within the rise to dominance by the American women to a level never seen in the sport. The spot is available in both :60s and :30s versions.

The USA Men's National Team :30s spot, "Rise Above", addresses their quest for greatness. Last reaching the Olympic podium in 2008 and having never won gold in the modern era of the Games, the spot gives viewers a glimpse into a dynamic squad with the true potential to peak at exactly the right time, this summer in Paris.

"Our goal with this campaign is to tell the stories of our teams," said Michaela Spector, Director of Marketing, USA Water Polo. "This campaign lets you feel, at least for a little while, the quest these young men and women are on and the Olympic water polo history that hangs in the balance. Through powerful and stunning visuals, we hope to convey the essence of what it means to represent Team USA."

Launching today, the campaign will run across various social media platforms, with additional TV broadcast information to be announced. All commercials will be available on YouTube.com/USAWP and USA Water Polo's social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, and X.

Other key contributors to the commercial spots include acclaimed photographer/director Peter "POBY" Pobyjpicz, drone video specialist Jack Hiniker and the Motion-Productions team, whose expertise and creativity have brought the vision to life. Actors Kelly Campbell, Rob Koebel, Alexa Hourigan, Braden Davis and Bob Blongiewicz brought their talents to the women's spot with period styling from Heather Hansen. Voiceover talent Bethany Novak narrated the women's spot.

SWISS AQUATICS Michelle Heimberg Neue Ziele nach überwundenem Rückschlag

Die Schweizer Europameisterin im Wasserspringen, Michelle Heimberg, verzichtet auf die Titelverteidigung im Juni im Belgrad. Sie wird in diesem Jahr keine Wettkämpfe mehr bestreiten. Für 2025 hat sich die Aargauerin wieder hohe Ziele gesteckt. Zudem hat Heimberg beim Startup Muuvr beruflich eine neue Herausforderung angenommen.

Nach schwierigen Wochen hat sich Michelle Heimberg neue Ziele gesetzt. Die amtierende Europameisterin vom 1m-Brett hat nach der verpassten Olympia-Qualifikation und einer anschliessenden Auszeit einen neuen Fokus gefunden. Sie hat sich entschieden, in diesem Jahr keine Wettkämpfe mehr zu bestreiten und auf die Titelverteidigung vom 1m-Brett an den Europameisterschaften im Juni in Belgrad zu verzichten. Im Vordergrund steht der Spass am Sport und die optimale Vorbereitung für das nächste Jahr. Ihr Blick ist bereits auf die kommende Saison gerichtet, in der sie wieder in den Wettkampfmodus zurückkehren wird. Mit den Europameisterschaften und den Weltmeisterschaften in Singapur stehen zwei grosse Wettkämpfe im Kalender. «Ich habe gemerkt, dass das Feuer in mir noch brennt. Aber ich will mir die Zeit geben, die ich brauche, um stärker zurückzukommen», so Heimberg.

Michelle Heimberg findet beruflich eine neue Herausforderung

Da der Sommer der 23-jährigen Aargauerin nun anders als geplant verlaufen wird, ergab sich für Michelle Heimberg beruflich eine neue Möglichkeit. Jan van Berkel, ehemaliger Triathlet und European Business Development Manager des Zürcher Start-ups Muuvr, bot ihr eine Stelle im Bereich Kommunikation und Events an. Heimberg wird dieseChance nutzen, um wertvolle Berufserfahrung zu sammeln. Sie sieht es als grosse Chance, ihr Wissen aus dem Studium der Kommunikationswissenschaft & Medienforschung in die Praxis umzusetzen.

«Diese Möglichkeit, mich beruflich weiterzuentwickeln und gleichzeitig einen Ausgleich zum Sport zu haben, hat mich sehr gereizt und so fiel mir die Entscheidung, diese Herausforderung anzunehmen, leicht», so Heimberg.

Auch Jan van Berkel äusserte sich positiv über Michelles Beitrag zum Startup und ist davon überzeugt, dass sie ihre Kompetenzen aus dem Sport schnell in die Arbeitswelt integrieren kann. «Als ehemaliger Profi-Triathlet schätze ich die Qualitäten, die Michelle als Sportlerin bei der Arbeit einbringen kann. Michelle bringt nicht nur Disziplin und Ausdauer mit, sondern auch Teamgeist und Zielstrebigkeit. Ich freue mich, eine weitere Sportlerin im Team begrüssen zu dürfen und bin mir sicher, dass sie einen wichtigen Beitrag leisten wird.»

photo by patrick b. krämer

SWISS AQUATICS Michelle Heimberg De nouveaux objectifs à la suite d’un revers

 

La championne d'Europe suisse de plongeon, Michelle Heimberg, renonce à défendre son titre en juin à Belgrade. Elle ne participera plus à aucune compétition cette année. L'Argovienne s'est à nouveau fixé des objectifs élevés pour 2025. De plus, Heimberg a relevé un nouveau défi professionnel au sein de la start-up Muuvr.

Après des semaines difficiles, Michelle Heimberg s'est fixé de nouveaux objectifs. La championne d'Europe en titre du tremplin de 1 m s’est trouvé un nouveau focus après avoir manqué sa qualification pour les Jeux olympiques et avoir pris un temps d'arrêt par la suite. Elle a décidé de ne plus participer à des compétitions cette année et de renoncer à défendre son titre du tremplin de 1 m aux Championnats d'Europe de Belgrade en juin pour mettre l'accent sur le plaisir du sport et sur une préparation optimale pour l'année prochaine. Son regard est déjà tourné vers la saison prochaine, où elle retrouvera le mode de la compétition. Deux grandes compétitions sont prévues au calendrier, les championnats d'Europe et les championnats du monde à Singapour. « J'ai senti que la flamme brûlait encore en moi. Mais je veux me laisser le temps dont j'ai besoin pour revenir plus forte », a déclaré Heimberg.

Michelle Heimberg se lance un nouveau défi professionnel

Comme l'été de l'Argovienne de 23 ans ne se déroule pas comme prévu, une nouvelle opportunité professionelle s'est présentée à Michelle Heimberg. Jan van Berkel, ancien triathlète et European Business Development Manager de la start-up zurichoise Muuvr, lui a proposé un poste dans le domaine de la communication et de l'événementiel. Heimberg va saisir cette opportunité pour acquérir une précieuse expérience professionnelle. Elle y voit une excellente occasion de mettre en pratique ses connaissances acquises lors de ses études en sciences de la communication & recherche sur les médias.

« Cette possibilité d'évoluer professionnellement et d'avoir en même temps un équilibre avec le sport m'a beaucoup séduite et la décision d'accepter ce défi a été facile à prendre », a déclaré Heimberg.

Jan van Berkel s'est également exprimé positivement sur la contribution de Michelle à la start-up et est convaincu qu'elle pourra rapidement intégrer ses compétences issues du sport dans le monde du travail. « En tant qu'ancien triathlète professionnel, j'apprécie les qualités que Michelle peut apporter au travail en tant que sportive. Michelle apporte non seulement la discipline et l'endurance, mais aussi l'esprit d'équipe et la détermination. Je suis heureux d'accueillir une autre sportive dans l'équipe et je suis sûr qu'elle apportera une contribution importante ».

photo by patrick b. krämer

Paralympics Ireland - Gold for Ní Riain on Day Two of European Championships

 

Róisín Ní Riain was the only Irish swimmer in action at the European Championships today fresh from her silver medal success on day one. In a personal best swim Ní Riain powered home to win gold in the 100m breaststroke final.

Speaking after the final Ní Riain said, “That was a pretty good swim, happy with the time and a great race. I always think the hundred breaststroke is a fun one for me just to get out and race. I love the event so I’m very pleased with that”.

Tomorrow is a busy day in the pool with four swimmers set to compete. Nicole Turner and Barry McClements will make their first appearances at this Championships in the morning session and will hope to progress to finals in their respective events. Dearbhaile Brady will also look to progress to her second final in the 200 IM event.

Deaten Registe will make his European Championships debut in the evening session. He has a direct final in the 100m Breaststroke at 17:57.

Para Swimming European Championships Day 2 Results

Róisín Ní Riain - 100m Breaststroke Final / 01:18.00 / 1st Place

Day 3 (April 23)

10:05: Nicole Turner - 200m IM Heat (event 59)

10:05: Dearbhaile Brady - 200m IM Heat (event 59)

10:18: Barry McClements - 100m Butterfly Heat (event 60)

17:57: Deaten Registe - 100m Breaststroke Final (event 52)

 

Day 4 (April 24)

9:55: Róisín Ní Riain - 100m Backstroke Heat – (event 76)

11:16: Ellen Keane - 100m Freestyle Heat – (event 86)

 

Day 5 (April 25)

11:09: Róisín Ní Riain - 50m Freestyle Heat – (event 107)

19:40: Nicole Turner - 50m Freestyle Final – (event 104)

19:40: Dearbhaile Brady - 50m Freestyle Final – (event 104)

 

Day 6 (April 26)

9:30: Róisín Ní Riain - 400m Freestyle Heat (event 110)

10:59 Barry McClements - 100m Backstroke Heat (event 124)

19:34: Nicole Turner - 100m Breaststroke Final (event 125)

 

Day 7 (April 27)

9:30 Ellen Keane - 100m Breaststroke Heat (event 129)

10:36 Róisín Ní Riain - 200m IM Heat (event 138)

19:24 Nicole Turner - 50m Butterfly Final (event 143)

19:24 Dearbhaile Brady - 50m Butterfly Final (event 143)

 

Para Swimming European Championships Team Ireland Results

Day 1: Róisín Ní Riain, 100m Butterfly Heat / 01:06.70 / 1st Place

Day 1: Róisín Ní Riain, 100m Butterfly Final / 01:06:32 / 2nd Place

Day 1: Dearbhaile Brady - 100m Backstroke Final / 1:50.58/ 6th Place

Day 2: Róisín Ní Riain - 100m Breaststroke Final / 01:18.00 / 1st Place

First-ever Para Triathlon Mixed Relay World Championships to take place at Championship Finals Torremolinos

 

World Triathlon is pleased to announce that the Championship Finals Torremolinos-Andalucia will host the first-ever World Triathlon Para Mixed Relay Championships on 20 October, after two years of the event being delivered at the World Triathlon Championship Finals as a test.

The Executive Board has also approved the award of a separate set of recognition medals to athletes with Intellectual Impairment competing in the Age-Group events at the 2024 World Triathlon Multisport Championships in Townsville, Australia, taking place on 15-25 August.

The Para Triathlon Mixed Relay made its official debut on the World Triathlon calendar as an Open Race at the 2022 Abu Dhabi Finals, with the ultimate goal of incorporating the dynamic new format into the roster of events across all levels, including the Paralympic Games.

The Para Triathlon Mixed Relay upholds similar principles to the Olympic Mixed Relay event that was such a resounding success at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Each team will consist of four Para athletes, two men and two women. Every team member will complete a full super-sprint triathlon (non-drafting): 125-150m swim, 3.5-4km bike, and 0.8-1km run. The team’s total time spans from the commencement of the first athlete to the conclusion of the 4th athlete covering the full distance.

After two years being held as an Open race, and Team Australia winning gold in Abu Dhabi 2022 and Team USA in Pontevedra 2023, the first-ever World Triathlon Para Mixed Relay Championships will take place as part of the World Triathlon Championship Finals Torremolinos-Andalucía next October.

World Triathlon Executive Board has also approved to give recognition to athletes with Intellectual Impairment who have already qualified in the Age-Group events with the full support of the Intellectual Impairment Working Group that has been seeking for opportunities for these athletes alongside World Triathlon or entities such as Virtus and Special Olympics for the last two years. The 2024 World Triathlon Multisport Championships in Townsville will award a separate set of medals to athletes with Intellectual Impairment – even if this impairment is currently not considered under the Para triathlon classification system but is an IPC-recognised impairment.

All athletes wishing to compete at the Townsville Multisport World Championships must meet their National Federation qualification criteria and follow the standard registration process.  The Athletes should have qualified for their own National Federation to compete at any of the Townsville Multisport World Championships, and go through the regular registration process.

Diving World Cup Super Final 2024 - Chen Yuxi, Yang Hao claim two more victories for hosts in Xi’an, China

 

"Xie Xie Xi'an!"(Thank you, Xi'an) Chen Yuxi and Quan Hongchan called out everyone's words with a heart pose as the host team China stormed to collect eight gold medals out nine events on offer - with Australia capturing one title -- as the World Aquatics Diving World Cup Super Final 2024 concluded here in Xi’an, China on Sunday.

Chen and Yang Hao, winners of women's and men's 10m platform on the last day of Super Final, celebrated their trophies on the overall rankings at World Cup 2024 as the Best Female and Male Diver after three stops in Montreal, Berlin and Xi'an

 

Women's 10m Platform

In a battle between Chen Yuxi and Quan Hongchan, it was Chen who laughed at the end as she crowned the women's 10m platform with solid five dives in a total of 443.20.  Chen started second place after first two dives, then clinched a game-high 94.05 on her 626C and kept the momentum until the last dive. Tokyo Olympic champion and reigning world champion Quan took the silver in 410.70, Andrea Spendolini Sirieix of Britain picked up the bronze medal in 344.60.

"The huge crowd gave me a lot of confidence and encouragement. I feel excited and full of energy to compete and show my best in Xi'an. I will gear up for the coming Olympic Games together with my best friend Quan," Chen said.

Quan admitted her mistakes in the decisive 207C, which brought her glory some times but pity some other time: "My mistakes comes from 207C with as poor as 66 points. I am not fully ready and excited enough in the final. But I am very grateful to the audience. My elder brother and sister are also here to cheer up for me."

As usual, Andrea Spendolini Sirieix gave big hugs to Chen Yuxi and Quan Hongchan after the competition. "I love both of the Chinese girls. They are incredible, their work ethic, their diving, the way they approach things, their mentality...I look at them and I'm in abide by them me. Quan is like my younger sister and Chen and I talk a lot. I ask her how to get better at Chinese and her English improves every single time."

 

Men's 10m Platform

Yang Hao, a native from Xi'an, suffered from high fever just before the Super Final but found himself good enough to lead the 10m platform from morning heat to final, winning in 557.60.

"It is my hometown and I am so happy to compete in front of my family and friends. However, I suffered from weakness after high fever these days, my legs were shaking during the last two rounds in morning heats. The cheers from the crowd help me forget about weakness and outperform in the final," Yang Hao said.“The gold medal and trophy of the Best Male Diver of the World Cup are the best gift to the audience.”

Rikuto Tamai of Japan also showed stable form in throughout the preliminary in 526.60 and lifted his personal best to 531.55 in the final. Randal Willars Valdez of Mexico came to third place with 492.50.

"I am happy with my performance today and I feel at home with the support from full house spectators. I hope I can improve myself and show my best in Paris Olympic Games," said the 17-year-old Japanese diver.

On the medal table of the Super Final, the hosts topped with 8 gold 1 silver and Australia second with one gold and two bronzes. Britain placed third with two silvers and three bronzes and Mexico fourth with two silvers and one bronze.

While the three-day Diving World Cup Super Final comes to an end, the entire diving world will enter the time for Paris Olympic Games

Written by: Zhou Xin, World Aquatics Correspondent

Image Source:Getty Images

CANOE EUROPE - Young Slovenians show power on day two of competitions in Ljubljana

The second competition day of the ECA I Feel Slovenia Tacen 2024 European Open Canoe Slalom Cup and the ICF ranking race on the Sava River brought wins to younger generation. The most experienced winner of the day was Eva Terčelj (SLO) in women’s kayak. Elena Borghi (ITA) won in women’s canoe, Lan Tominc in men’s kayak and Žiga Lin Hočevar (both SLO) in men’s canoe.

The second day of racing in Ljubljana – Slovenia, on a venue which will host the 2024 ECA I Feel Slovenia Canoe Slalom European Championships between 15th and 19th May, brought exciting finals. There were more than 230 athletes from 19 countries on the start line of the competition.

Young Slovenian paddlers showed their skills on a home course and won ahead of more experienced athletes. The win in men’s canoe final went to the hands of 16-year-old Žiga Lin Hočevar, while 21-year-old Lan Tominc won in men’s kayak event.

Slovenian kayaker Lan Tominc, the 2018 Youth Olympic Games champion, produced the best run in men’s kayak final, finishing the race 0.50 seconds ahead of the best Italian kayaker Giovanni de Gennaro. Tine Kancler (SLO) was third.

Tominc, who set the fastest time already in heat’s run was happy with his performance, “I am very happy with the three runs I showed over the weekend. The boat runs smoothly, I am in good form, so I am satisfied.”

One of the highlights of the race was men’s canoe final, where the elite of the sport took part in. At the end, the winner was 16-year-old Slovenian Žiga Lin Hočevar, for whom this is the first win among the seniors at the highest level of international competitions. The 2023 Junior World Champion in canoe won ahead of 2016 Rio Olympic Games silver medallist Matej Beňuš from Slovakia, while Luka Božič the world number one in the ICF World Ranking won bronze medal. The reigning Olympic Champion Benjamin Savšek (SLO) finished sixth at his home course.

“Unbelievable! This is my first win on a professional or better said senior level competition. I knew who was still up on the start, but I also knew that I had a penalty free run. It was again windy today, some of the gates were a bit low. When I reached the finish and saw I had a good run, I knew there is a chance for a win, but there were still Benjamin Savšek, Luka Božič and Raffaello Ivaldi at the top waiting to start,” said Hočevar.

Elena Borghi took the win for Italy in women’s canoe final. Italians, like Slovenians, used this race as one of their selection races, so the motive was very high. Borghi picked up four penalty seconds, but regardless she took the top podium position, finishing 0.28 seconds ahead of Lea Novak (SLO) who also had four penalties. British representative Ellis Miller was third.

After the race Borghi said, “This is one of the most difficult courses. I felt good, but when you have two days of racing, on the second day it is really hard mentally and physically. I didn’t feel too good physically, but I managed to keep the focus, so I am happy with my run.”

In women’s kayak final, Slovenian Eva Terčelj celebrated a win. The 2019 World Champion was just 0.09 seconds ahead of Corinna Kuhnle. Austrian kayaker won some of her biggest career successes at this course in Ljubljana. In 2010, she was crowned World Champion and in 2011 she won European Champion title here. Lea Novak (SLO), who was second in canoe, secured herself bronze medal in the kayak final.

“I am happy to conclude the weekend in such a pleasant way. It was hard to compete, because I am still seeking the right feelings on the course. I am still not in a form I’d like to be in when the season starts. I am very satisfied I managed to produce a run without touches and bigger mistakes. I can build in this,” said Terčelj.

The livestreaming is available on the Youtube channel of the European Canoe Association - Canoe Europe: https://www.youtube.com/CanoeEurope

RESULTS: https://www.timing-mojstrana.com/20-21-4-2024-tacen-eca-i-feel-slovenia-tacen-2024-european-open-canoe-slalom-cup/

SWISS AQUATICS Selektion für die Schwimm-EM in Belgrad ist bekannt

 

Swiss Aquatics reist mit 14 Schwimmer:innen an die Europameisterschaften

Einen Monat vor Beginn der Olympischen Spiele werden vom 17.-23. Juni die Schwimmwettkämpfe der European Aquatics Championships stattfinden. Mit der EM endet auch die Qualifikationsperiode für Paris. Somit bietet sich in Belgrad die allerletzte Möglichkeit, die Olympialimiten zu unterbieten.

Swiss Aquatics Swimming hat für diese Europameisterschaften fünf Athletinnen und neun Athleten selektioniert.

Fanny Borer (Genève Natation 1885)

Nina Kost (Genève Natation 1885)

Lisa Mamié (Limmat Sharks Zürich)

Vanna Djakovic (Schwimmclub Uster)

Julia Ullmann (Limmat Sharks Zürich)

Jérémy Desplanches (Genève Natation 1885)

Antonio Djakovic (Schwimmclub Uster)

Thierry Bollin (Schwimmklub Bern)

Roman Mityukov (Genève Natation 1885)

Flavio Bucca (Schwimmclub Kreuzlingen)

Noè Ponti (Nuoto Sport Locarno)

Gian-Luca Gartmann (Schwimmclub Uster)

Marius Toscan (Schwimmverein St.Gallen-Wittenbach)

Tiago Behar (Lausanne Aquatique)

Neben den arrivierten Kräften werden auch EM-Neulinge mit nach Belgrad reisen. Für Vanna Djakovic, Tiago Behar und Flavio Bucca ist es die erste Elite-EM. So unterschiedlich die Voraussetzungen, unter denen die Athlet:innen an der EM starten, so individuell sind die jeweiligen Zielsetzungen. Für Flavio Bucca oder Vanna Djakovic, der jüngeren Schwester von Olympiateilnehmer Antonio Djakovic, geht es primär darum, Erfahrungen auf höchstem europäischen Niveau zu sammeln. Für etablierte Athlet:innen wie Marius Toscan oder Fanny Borer bilden die Kontinentalmeisterschaften den Saisonhöhepunkt. Ihr Ziel sind Finalteilnahmen in ihren Spezialdisziplinen Vierlagen (Toscan) und Rücken/Schmetterling (Borer). Auch Jérémy Desplanches und Lisa Mamié werden in Bestform nach Belgrad reisen, geht es für sie um die Einzellimite für die Olympischen Spiele in Paris. An den Weltmeisterschaften in Fukuoka im Juli 2023 hatten sie die entsprechenden Zeiten nur um wenige Hundertstel verpasst. Gleich mehrere Athleten haben grosse Ambitionen, sich für ein Olympiaticket in den Herrenstaffeln über 4x200m Freistil bzw. 4x100m Lagen zu empfehlen.

EM als Vorbereitung für Olympia

Für die bereits für Paris qualifizierten Athleten Thierry Bollin (100m Rücken), Antonio Djakovic (400m Freistil), Roman Mityukov (100m / 200m Rücken) und Noè Ponti (100m / 200m Schmetterling) dient diese EM so kurz vor den Spielen als Standortbestimmung. Welche Einsätze sie in Belgrad bestreiten werden, wird in den kommenden Wochen entschieden.

photo by patrick b. krämerphoto by patrick b. krämer

SWISS AQUATICS Sélection pour le CE de natation à Belgrade est connue

 

Swiss Aquatics se rendra au championnat d'Europe avec 14 nageur·euse·s.

Un mois avant le début des Jeux Olympiques, les épreuves de natation des European Aquatics Championships se dérouleront du 17 au 23 juin. Le championnat d'Europe marque également la fin de la période de qualification pour Paris. Belgrade sera donc la toute dernière occasion de battre les minima olympiques.

Swiss Aquatics Swimming a sélectionné cinq athlètes féminines et neuf athlètes masculins pour ce championnat d'Europe.

Fanny Borer (Genève Natation 1885)

Nina Kost (Genève Natation 1885)

Lisa Mamié (Limmat Sharks Zürich)

Vanna Djakovic (Schwimmclub Uster)

Julia Ullmann (Limmat Sharks Zürich)

 

Jérémy Desplanches (Genève Natation 1885)

Antonio Djakovic (Schwimmclub Uster)

Thierry Bollin (Schwimmklub Bern)

Roman Mityukov (Genève Natation 1885)

Flavio Bucca (Schwimmclub Kreuzlingen)

Noè Ponti (Nuoto Sport Locarno)

Gian-Luca Gartmann (Schwimmclub Uster)

Marius Toscan (Schwimmverein St.Gallen-Wittenbach)

Tiago Behar (Lausanne Aquatique)

Outre les habitués, des novices de CE se rendront également à Belgrade. Pour Vanna Djakovic, Tiago Behar et Flavio Bucca, il s'agit de leur premier championnat d'Europe Elite. Les conditions dans lesquelles les athlètes participeront à ce championnat d'Europe sont aussi diverses que leurs objectifs respectifs. Pour Flavio Bucca ou Vanna Djakovic, la sœur cadette de l'athlète olympique Antonio Djakovic, il s'agit avant tout d'acquérir de l'expérience au plus haut niveau européen. Pour les athlètes confirmé·e·s comme Marius Toscan ou Fanny Borer, les championnats continentaux constituent le sommet de la saison. Ils visent une place en finale dans leurs disciplines de prédilection, 4-nages (Toscan) et dos/papillon (Borer). Jérémy Desplanches et Lisa Mamié se rendront également à Belgrade en plein affûtage, car il s'agit pour eux de décrocher la limite individuelle pour les Jeux olympiques de Paris. Lors du championnat du monde de Fukuoka en juillet 2023, ils n'avaient manqué les temps correspondants que de quelques centièmes. Plusieurs athlètes ont de grandes ambitions pour obtenir un billet olympique dans les relais masculins du 4x200m nage libre et du 4x100m 4 nages.

Le CE pour préparer les Jeux

Pour les athlètes déjà qualifiés pour Paris, Thierry Bollin (100m dos), Antonio Djakovic (400m nage libre), Roman Mityukov (100m / 200m dos) et Noè Ponti (100m / 200m papillon), ce championnat d'Europe servira à faire le point si proche des Jeux. Les choix de leurs engagements à Belgrade seront décidés dans les semaines à venir.

photo by patrick b. krämerphoto by patrick b. krämer

SVOM DANMARK Syv svømmere indstilles til OL-udtagelse

 

Det sker på sidstedagen af Danish Open, hvor kvalifikationen til de Olympiske Lege i Paris sluttede.

De sidste fire dage har der udspillet sig et sandt svømmedrama i København, hvor Bellahøj Svømmestadion har lagt bassin til det sidste OL-kvalifikationsevent, Danish Open.

Følelserne har flere gange fået frit løb, når Danmarks bedste svømmere har rakt ud efter de eftertragtede pladser i flyveren mod OL i Paris til sommer.

Selv efter en nordisk rekord og to danske rekorder lykkedes det ingen svømmere at kvalificere sig individuelt til de Olympiske Lege. Til gengæld blev der efter tætte konkurrencer sat navne på de svømmere, der skal udgøre den danske kvindeholdkap i henholdsvis 4x100 meter frisvømning og 4x100 meter holdmedley.

Signe Bro fra Svømmeklubben Triton Ballerup, som til daglig træner på Det Nationale Træningscenter (NTC), var med til at kvalificere begge holdkapper til OL under VM i sommer – og efter Danish Open står det klart, at hun også bliver en del af begge holdkapper i Paris.

”Jeg er glad og stolt af, at jeg svømmede hurtigt til VM, så vi – som nation – havde muligheden for at kvalificere holdkapperne til OL. Nogle gange går det ikke helt som planlagt, og det er tilfældet for mig til denne topning. Det har været nogle lange dage med meget pres på, og jeg har været hård mod mig selv over, at jeg ikke kunne præstere, når det gjaldt. Når det er sagt, så glæder jeg mig virkelig meget til at svømme sammen med pigerne til sommer, og, jeg tror, det bliver en fed oplevelse. OL er denne gang med tilskuere, og jeg glæder mig til at føle sommerfuglene, der kommer, når man ser sig omkring i sådan et stort svømmestadion.”

Signe Bro

Schastine Tabor fra Svømmeklubben MK 31 står overfor sit første OL, da hun skal svømme rygsvømning i kvindernes 4x100 meter holdmedley.

”Det er mega fedt og meget overvældende. Det bliver en kæmpestor oplevelse, og jeg glæder mig virkelig meget til at skulle svømme på den største scene. Jeg havde svært ved at komme op i gear efter EM, men med hjælp fra Team Danmarks sportspsykolog Sidsel Iversen, har jeg genfundet gnisten, og hun stor andel i min OL-kvalifikation.”

Schastine Tabor

”Det er mega fedt og meget overvældende. Det bliver en kæmpestor oplevelse, og jeg glæder mig virkelig meget til at skulle svømme på den største scene. Jeg havde svært ved at komme op i gear efter EM, men med hjælp fra Team Danmarks sportspsykolog Sidsel Iversen, har jeg genfundet gnisten, og hun stor andel i min OL-kvalifikation,” siger Schastine Tabor.

 Følgende svømmere indstilles til OL-udtagelse hos Danmarks Olympiske Komité (DIF), der officielt udtager OL-holdet senere:

Elisabeth Sabroe Ebbesen, Gentofte Svømmeklub

Julie Kepp Jensen, A6/NTC

Helena Rosendahl Bach, Aalborg Svømmeklub

Martine Damborg, Svømmeklubben KVIK Kastrup

Schastine Tabor, Svømmeklubben MK31

Signe Bro, Svømmeklubben Triton Ballerup/NTC

Thea Blomsterberg, Swim Team Odense

Stor cadeau til det store arbejde, der foregår i dansk svømmesports klubber og på Det Nationale Træningscenter. Stort tillykke med OL-kvalifikationen til svømmerne, deres daglige trænere og klubber.

SWISS AQUATICS Thierry Bollin schafft die Olympialimite über 100m Rücken

 

An den Langbahn-Schweizermeisterschaften unterbietet Thierry Bollin im Vorlauf 100m Rücken in 53.67s die Olympialimite.

Für das Highlight und grosse Emotionen im Hallenbad Buchholz sorgte heute Morgen der 24-jährige Berner Thierry Bollin. Nachdem er mehrere Male nur ganz knapp die Limite verpasst hatte, schaffte er es heute endlich die Olympic Qualification Time von 53.74s zu unterbieten. Mit seiner Zeit von 53.67s holte er sich die hochverdiente Qualifikation für die Spiele in Paris.

Foto: Patrick B. Krämer

China seals six golds, three silvers at the World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup 2024 season opener in Beijing

 

Written by Zhou Xin, World Aquatics Correspondent

Kazakhstan, Italy and Israel each secured one gold medal on the third and last day of the World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup 2024 in Beijing here on Sunday as the hosts team China dominated the medal table with six golds and three silvers out of the 11 events on offer.

Italy earned two golds and a bronze while teams Spain collected one gold, three silvers, and two bronzes on the medal table for the opening World Cup leg in the Chinese capital.

 

Women's Duet Free

Among the 10 pairs of participants, Shelly Bobritsky and Ariel Nassee from Israel received all the difficulty approved and the highest scores of 225.7613 points. Xu Huiyan, a triple winner in the Beijing leg, had to concede to silver medals with Lin Yanhan, the younger twin sisters of Lin Yanjun, in a total of 221.0156.

"My schedule is very busy this time and I am really exhausted today. All the mistakes I made were because of lack of power and energy," Xu collected victories in the Solo Tech and Solo Free as well as in Team Tech in the last two days.

Lin Yanhan and her elder twin sister Lin Yanjun won the Women's Duet Tech on Saturday. "Xu and I trained together for nearly one month. Xu is a better and stronger swimmer than I am. I need to work harder on my quality of leg and foot movements," said Lin Yanhan.

Mexican pair Daniela Avila Villa and Fernanda Carmona Vazquez celebrated their bronze medals in 201.8510. Rocio Calle Garcia and Cui Xu Isabel Shuang from Spain came fourth at 178.9322.

"We have been worked together for 4 days! Isabel lives in Barcelona and I live in Madrid. Four days to train together and that was the time we had. We did as much as possible. We also got to know each other during our team routines these days and we are close friends now," Calle Garcia said.

 

Mixed Duet Free

Filippo Pelati and Flaminia Vernice told an ancient Greek mythology Orpheus and Eurydice by winning the second victory for Italy in 175.9655. Pelati clinched its first gold in Men's Solo Free on Saturday.

Viktor Druzin and Amma Pavletsova of Kazakhstan took the silvers 172.4399 and Jordi Caceres Iglesias and Judith Calvo Requena of Spain third 151.5945.

Both at the age of 15, Guo Muxi and Guo Jiayu were the youngest pair in the event and finished fourth with their performance Up is Down.

"We executed better than our training form but we still have a long way to catch up with the top senior swimmers. I gave myself 7.5 points out of 10 because I realized my weakness. I was not physically strong enough and could not do some high difficult movements. I felt more nervous to compete myself than watching my twin brother Muye competing," Guo Muxi said.

Born and raised in Beijing in the year of 2008 Olympic Games, the native Beijing twin brothers started swimming at the Water Cube and always had a special feeling for this place.

"We are familiar with the Water Cube pool very much and have trained and competed many times here. It is like going home. But competing in a World Cup made me different and nervous," Muxi added.

Guo Jiayu awarded herself 8 points for her brave heart. “I did not feel nervous at all. I knew we were lack of power, difficulty and artistic elements compared with others. But right now I am more clear-minded than before what we should improve in the future,” said Guo.

 

Team Acrobatic

With the music of Night on Bald Mountain, team Kazakhstan showed their charming ballet in the pool, winning their first gold medal at the opening leg of the World Cup with 213.7801.

"We like the plot and music of the movie very much. We are happy with our performance and the gold medal," Eteri Kakutia smiled.

The second-tire national team of China pretended they were the Eagles flying up and down to the water, coming to the second place in 205.0300 while Australia bagged bronze medals with their Clear-leading performance.

"As the young artistic swimmers, we demonstrated our strength at the World Cup. We learned a lot but also made some mistakes. I believe it is valuable experience to compete in the high-level events, which can inspire us to make progress step by step," said Chinese swimmer Wu Jingyan.

For the Australians, they enjoyed the competition at the venue of 2008 Olympic Games and took the World Cups as preparation for the coming Paris Olympic Games.

"We all love the Water Cube and the pool. It would be a great experience for us in preparation for the Paris Olympics by competing the World Cups. We have been trained very hard since last year and looked forward competing in the next stop of World Cup in Paris," Kiera Walsh Gazzard said.

With Beijing World Cup Leg Down, Here's What's to Come Later This Year

The World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup 2024 series has four legs, including Beijing, Paris (FRA) – 3-5 May, Markham (CAN) – 31 May - 2 June and Super Final in Budapest (HUN) – 5-7 July.

SWISS AQUATICS Thierry Bollin réalise la limite olympique du 100 m dos

 

Lors des Championnats suisses en grand bassin, Thierry Bollin a battu la limite olympique du 100 m dos en 53,67 s lors des séries.

C'est le Bernois de 24 ans Thierry Bollin qui a créé le moment fort et les grandes émotions à la piscine couverte de Buchholz ce matin. Après avoir manqué plusieurs fois la limite de très peu, il a enfin réussi aujourd'hui à passer sous le temps de qualification olympique de 53.74s. Avec son temps de 53.67s, il a décroché la qualification hautement méritée pour les Jeux de Paris.

Foto: Patrick B. Krämer

SWISS AQUATICS Noè Ponti setzt ein weiteres Ausrufezeichen

 

Er verbessert seinen am Morgen aufgestellten Schweizerrekord auf 22.65s. Diese Zeit bringt ihn auf Position 6 der ewigen Bestenliste über 50m Schmetterling.

Nachdem Noè Ponti bereits im Vorlauf am Morgen seine ausgezeichnete Form präsentierte und einen neuen Schweizerrekord sowie eine neue Jahresweltbestleistung aufstellte, konnte er am Abend nochmals eine Schippe drauflegen. Er zeigte ein überragendes Rennen und schlug nach 22.65s an. Damit verbesserte er seinen Rekord erneut um 26 Hundertstel und setzte sich mit dieser Fabelzeit auf Position 6 aller je geschwommenen Zeiten über 50m Schmetterling.

photo by roldy cueto cabrera

ECA Ocean Racing European Championships returns to ‘country of birth'

Next week the first ECA European Championships in the season 2024 will take place in Portugal. The Azores Archipelago will host the 2024 ECA Ocean Racing European Championships between 12th and 14th April, while the Opening Ceremony will take place on 11th April.

After ten years the ECA Ocean Racing European Championships is now returning to its country of birth. Portugal is the European leader in organising ocean racing competitions of the highest level. In 2014, Portugal hosted the inaugural ECA Ocean Racing European Championships and a year before the first World Championships in history of Ocean Racing was held in Portugal too.

The first ECA Ocean Racing European Championships was organised in 2014 in Vila Do Conde, the same city that hosted the 2013 World Championships in this canoeing discipline. The 2014 edition of the ECA Ocean Racing European Championships attracted participants from Portugal, Spain, France, Netherlands,  Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Great Britain, Hungary, Turkey, Sweden, Malta, Finland, Ireland and Austria.

In addition to the athletes, specialists for ocean racing, such as Esteban Ojeda, Yannick Laousse, Benoiit Le Roux, Valentin Henot, Sara Trujillo, Angie Mouden, there were also some famous names from canoe sprint and canoe marathon on the start line of the first ocean racing championships of the Old Continent. These names included German Olympic Champion Max Hoff, who finished 20th in men’s SS1 event, then Denmark’s Rene Holten Poulsen, the 2008 Olympic Games silver medallist who finished 26th in men’s SS1 race, then Jonathan Simmons, and Spain’s Walter Bouzan, multiple medallist of canoe marathon European and World Championships ...

The first Ocean Racing European Champion in the history became French kayaker Yannick Laousse. It took him one hour, six minutes and 45 seconds to complete the course in the Atlantic Ocean. Less than a minute behind him Laousse’s compatriot Benoit Le Roux reached the finish line and claimed European Championships silver medal, while bronze medal went to Spain. Daniel Viloria crossed the finish line in third position, and was a minute and 12 seconds behind the first ever Ocean Racing European champion.

The host nation was thrilled in women’s senior SS1 event where two Portuguese paddlers took the top two podium positions. Sara Rafael completed the course in one hour and 22 minutes, a minute ahead of her compatriot Sofia Coelho. Spanish representative Sara Trujillo picked up bronze medal and was a little less than four minutes behind the winner. 

In men’s U23 event Valentin Henot took the win ahead of Victor Doux and Antonie Bihannic for a complete French podium. France’s Noe Pelliza was the best in men’s junior SS1 event, finishing the race ahead of Joao Silva from Portugal and Kevin Bihannic from France. In women’s U23 event Angie Mouen from France won ahead of two Portuguese paddlers Catarina Santos and Ana Rolla, while in junior race Joana Moura from Portugal won ahead of her teammate Andreia Ribeiro and Spanish kayaker Claudia Viera.

The 2024 ECA Ocean Racing European Championships in Azores will be one of the two major ocean racing events organised this year in Portugal. This European Country will also host the 2024 ICF Ocean Racing World Championships later this year in Madeira. “For sure Portugal will be the capital of Ocean Racing in 2024! We are used to hosting major international competitions and we like a good challenge concerning our sport. Since 2009 we have organised several international events in every canoeing discipline, so we have a lot of experience and together with our local partners in Azores and Madeira, with no doubt we will organise the best European and World championships ever,” said Vitor Felix, the president of the Portuguese Canoe Federation.

WEBSITE:

https://canoeoceanracingportugal.com/en/european-championships-2024/

SWISS AQUATICS Noè Ponti ajoute un nouveau point d'exclamation

 

Il améliore son record de Suisse établi ce matin à 22.65s. Ce temps lui permet de se placer en 6e position du classement éternel des meilleurs nageurs sur 50 m papillon.

Après avoir montré son excellente forme lors des séries du matin, en établissant un nouveau record suisse et une nouvelle meilleure performance mondiale de l'année, Noè Ponti a encore fait mieux le soir. Il a réalisé une course exceptionnelle et a terminé la course en 22,65 secondes. Il a ainsi amélioré le record de 26 centièmes et s'est hissé à la 6e place de tous les temps réalisés sur 50 m papillon.

photo by patrick b. krämer