FINA Highlights Its Open Water Swimming Stars

FINA launched a new section in its website devoted to the profile of its aquatic superstars.

Among those athletes featured on FINA's website include those athletes below who medaled in the 5K, 10K and 25K races at the 2011 World Swimming Championships in Shanghai, China.

Facts on the athletes include the distances they typically train each week, up to 25K per day in the case of Evgeny Drattsev.

Melissa Gorman (AUS)
Ky Hurst (AUS)
Rhys Mainstone (AUS)
Ana Marcela Cunha (BRA)
Petar Stoychev (BUL)
Aurelie Muller (FRA)
Thomas Lurz (GER)
Jan Wolfgarten (GER)
Isabelle Harle (GER)
Angela Maurer (GER)
Keri-Anne Payne (GBR)
Spyridon Gianniotis (GRE)
Marianna Lymperta (GRE)
Csaba Gercsak (HUN)
Alice Franco (ITA)
Martina Grimaldi (ITA)
Sergey Bolshakov (RUS)
Evgeny Drattsev (RUS)
Vladimir Dyatchin (RUS)
Swann Oberson (SUI)
Andrew Gemmell (USA)
Sean Ryan (USA)
Ashley Twichell (USA)

Photo courtesy of Dr. Jim Miller of Angela Maurer, Ana Marcela Cunha and Alice Franco, medalists in the 25K race.

Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source

Tempe Discusses Open Water Swimming Issues

Political candidates in Arizona are campaigning for open water swimming. Before Arizona became an American state, the residents of Tempe used to do open water swimming when water still flowed through Salt River.

But after the river dried up with the construction of the Roosevelt Dam, two candidates in Tempe are pushing for a possible revival of open water swimming.

Mayoral candidate Michael Monti and City Council candidate Dick Foreman said they are forming an ad hoc citizens committee to study their plan. "We've been hearing, ‘We love the lake. We love the amenities, but it's not really open for us on a casual basis,'" explained Michael. "It's sort of like you're not allowed here," added Dick. "[The plan] does need further refinement but we believe it can be done."

Directions on solutions to the issue will begin at a community meeting on December 20th in Tempe.

Since opening of the Tempe Town Lake in 1999, Tempe has only allowed swimming during special events. The city studied opening the lake to swimming in 2010 and estimated the cost at US$10 million. After an analysis, the city allowed stand-up paddling but declined further study of swimming because of the cost.

Former Mayor Rudy Campbell also endorsed the idea giving some additional hope to open water swimming residents and triathletes.

Photo shows the swim leg of the Ford Ironman Arizona held in Tempe in November. Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source

World Records And FASTSKIN Swimming Without Neoprene

Confidence is riding high among users of Speedo swimwear with its new FASTSKIN3 Racing System, an integrated swim cap, swim goggles and swimsuit.

Predictions are that elite swimmers will break the formerly thought unassailable pool world records with the new Speedo system.

Speedo representatives confirmed today that the new FASTSKIN3 does not include neoprene and is approved by FINA for use in pool and open water swimming competitions.

The issue of whether the non-neoprene integrated system complies with the established rules at all the world's open water swimming governing bodies. If the system is judged to not aid in heat retention, then the key remaining issues are related to its cut and compression panels. It may not be approved by some channel swimming associations because the swimsuit stretches down to the ankles.

Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source

Roger Allsopp, Nominee For The World Open Water Swimming Man Of The Year

At the age of 65, Dr. Roger Allsopp became the fourth oldest person to successfully swim across the English Channel. But he did not rest on those laurels. This August, at the age of 70, he became the oldest person to swim across the English Channel in 17 hours 51 minutes. Dr. Allsopp, a retired surgeon, inspired many to lead more healthful lives with his age-defying marathon swim. For his achievement and positive outlook, Dr. Allsopp is a nominee for the 2011 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year.



Learn more and vote HERE for the 2011 World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year the 2011 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year, and the 2011 World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year.

Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source