Stoychev and Frediani Take FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix Titles

Bulgaria's Petar Stoychev, a leading nominee for the 2009 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year, easily outdistanced his rivals to win his 9th consecutive FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix title after finishing the final 15K race of the season in Abu Dhabi Marina in the United Arab Emirates yesterday.

To capture his ninth FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix title, Petar swam - and traveled - incredible distances around the world.

Petar swam 57K in Santa Fe (Maraton Acuatica Rio Coronda in Argentina), 15K in Rosario (Maraton Acuatico Internacional Ciudad Rosario in Argentina), 15K in Viedma (Maraton Patagones Viedma in Argentina), 15K in Sumidero Canyon (XX Sumidero Canyon Swimming Marathon in Mexico), 30K in Ohrid (Ohrid Lake Swim Marathon in Macedonia), 32K in Lac St-Jean (Traversee Internationale du Lac St-Jean in Canada), 34K in Lac Memphremagog (Traversee Internationale du Lac Magog in Canada) and 15K in Abu Dubai (FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix in United Arab Emirates). He did these races in addition to doing several FINA 10KM Marathon Swimming World Cup races and participating in the FINA World Swimming Championships in Rome.

What an amazing year. Petar said about his last race of the season, "I tried to push hard and finish the final race with a win, but it became hard for me because it was very, very hot out there. It was a good strong race and turned into a sprint from the last 600 meters."

On the women's side, Camilla Frediani of Italy officially won, but had to outsprint Argentina's Pilar Geijo in a very exciting season-ending race to capture her first FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix title.

To capture her FINA world title, Camilla swam in 57K in Santa Fe (Maraton Acuatica Rio Coronda in Argentina), 15K in Rosario (Maraton Acuatico Internacional Ciudad Rosario in Argentina), 15K in Viedma (Maraton Patagones Viedma in Argentina), 36K in Napoli (Maratona del Golfo Capri-Napoli in Italy), 15K in Sumidero Canyon (XX Sumidero Canyon Swimming Marathon in Mexico), 30K in Ohrid (Ohrid Lake Swim Marathon in Macedonia), 32K in Lac St-Jean (Traversee Internationale du Lac St-Jean in Canada), 34K in Lac Memphremagog (Traversee Internationale du Lac Magog in Canada) and 15K in Abu Dubai (FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix in United Arab Emirates).

FINA world title, Camilla commented on having to stay in front of Pilar to capture her title, "It turned into a tough race and I am glad I managed to secure enough points for the championship. I was only seven points in front and it was a pressure race for me."

Congratulations to both these outstanding marathon swimmers and the rest of their colleagues who travel the world to represent the sport and all who similarly swim long distances.