Focused Finishes

Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.

What is the look of a champion?

Vladimir Dyatchin of Russia and Gerry Rodrigues seem to have it. In addition to great aerobic capacity, high navigational IQ and top-notch racing savvy, these guys have the intensity and focus of a champion. Look at their eyes.

Vladimir is shown above finishing at the 2008 World Open Water Swimming Championships in Seville where he qualified first for the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim. Gerry is shown below exiting the water to win the La Jolla Rough Water Swim, America’s Premier Rough Water Swim that has been held since 1916.


Trent Grimsey, winner of the RCP Tiburon Mile (shown on left) also has this eye of the tiger.

As does Britta Kamrau, the women's winner of the 2008 RCP Tiburon Mile and a 2009 honoree in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame shown on right.

Talent, toughness and tactics...they all have it.

Photo of Vladimir Dyatchin by Javier Blazquez. Photo of Trent Grimsey by Ian Thurston. Photo of Britta Kamrau by Elliott Karlan.

Copyright © 2009 by World Open Water Swimming Association