Beraud (FRA) and Brunemann (USA) win inaugural race in Santos (BRA)

 
 Beraud (FRA) and Brunemann (USA) win inaugural race in Santos (BRA)

10km Marathon Swimming World Cup

The season of the FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup 2013 has started! The city of Santos, in Brazil, staged the first leg of the annual circuit at Aparecida beach. 95 swimmers (49 men and 36 women) from 13 countries contested the event: Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, Russia, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the United States.

Big names in the world of open water attended the event: Olympic champion Eva Rizstov (the Hungarian was taking part in her first event in Brazil), 2012 Olympic medallists Thomas Lurz (GER), Richard Weinberger (CAN), Martina Grimaldi (ITA) and home heroes Ana Marcela Cunha (reigning World Cup champion) and Poliana Okimoto (overall winner of the 2009 Series).

In the women's field, the American Emily Brunemann took a different strategy than the rest of the swimmers and took the edge in the last lap for a comfortable win. Her compatriot Eva Fabian finished second while Italy's Rachele Bruni took third. 

Women's podium in Santos - credit: Satiro Sodre

Frenchman Romain Beraud was the surprising winner of the men's race. He surpassed the rest of the field in the last lap and in the last meters, powered home for the win. Two Italians completed the podium: Federico Vanelli in second and Simone Ruffini in third.

Men's podium in Santos - credit: Satiro Sodre

For the Brazilian swimmers, the Santos race was a qualifying event for the 15th FINA World Championship taking place in Barcelona (ESP) this year. The first two swimmers in both categories qualify for the event: Allan do Carmo and Diogo Villarinho among men and Ana Marcela Cunha and Poliana Okimoto among women booked their ticket for Barcelona.