USA Swimming Awards Its Best In Open Water

Jay Thomas, a long-time USA Swimming and FINA open water swimming official, received the prestigious Glen S. Hummer Award at the US Aquatic Sports annual convention in Chicago on Friday night.

Jay has officiated at FINA World Swimming Championships, USA Swimming national open water swimming championships and local open water and pool events. He serves on the USA Swimming Rules Committee and the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Board as well as develops, trains and certifies open water swimming officials.

Upon receiving the award, Jay said, "I can’t tell you how honored I am to be chosen as the recipient of this award. I look forward to the future and stand ready to help out in any way to continue to raise the bar in the open water world. Thank you."

Emily Brunemann, a senior at the University of Michigan, who won the 2009 USA Swimming 10K national championships and was 9th at the World Swimming Championships 5K and 24th in the World Championship 10K this year in Rome, was awarded the USA Swimming Open Water Female Swimmer of the Year.

Emily, who has just begun to tap her open water swimming potential, will be featured in next week's Open Water Wednesday on SwimNetwork.

"I had a mix of emotions when I found out. I was surprised, happy and honored all at the same time. I want to thank everyone in USA Swimming for the support and want to thank my coaches and team for this past summer and standing by me," said Emily.

The USA Swimming Male Open Water Swimmer of the Year was deservingly shared by USA open water swim team captain and world championship 10K bronze medalist Fran Crippen of Philadelphia and 2009 world championship teammate and 10K silver medalist Andrew Gemmell of the University of Georgia.

Fran, an inspirational leader among the young American open water swim team, won both the 5K and 10K at the USA Swimming National Open Water Championships and was third in the NYC Pro Swim and 7th in the world championship 5K. He is currently in Trinidad & Tobago for an open water swim and will head to China next week to participate in additional FINA World Cup events.

Andrew, a strong up-and-coming athlete originally from Delaware who is known for his tough workouts, was third in both the 5K and 10K USA Swimming National Open Water Championships and was fifth in the world championship 5K in Rome.

A great year for all three recipients with many more years of success yet to come.

Swimming In Nearly His Backyard

Professional marathon swimmers from Azerbaijan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Great Britain, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland and the USA will compete in the NYC Pro Swim this weekend on September 6th.

While the world's best swimmers are flying into New York from all over the world for the race, 2009 World Swimming Championship bronze medalist Fran Crippen (shown on left) is close enough to drive from home. He will renew his rivalry with fellow medalists Thomas Lurz of Germany (middle) and fellow American Andrew Gemmell (right) in what will undoubtedly be another extremely close race.

With currents expected to run at least 2 knots, both with and against, the athletes at different points along the course, we forecast a lot of lead changes throughout the race, especially when the swimmers are swimming near the seawall where fans will be able to cheer their favorite swimmers on from only meters away.

On race day this coming Sunday, it will be Brazilian Day in New York City, so perhaps the three Brazilian representatives (Poliana Okimoto, Ana Marcela Cunha and Allan Do Carmo) will have some additional countrymen to cheer them on?

Successfully Swimming The Open Seas

USA Swimming featured 2009 world 10K championship silver medalist Andrew Gemmell on its home page in an article entitled Successfully Swimming the Open Seas written by correspondent Mike Watkins. Click here to read.

Copyright © 2009 by World Open Water Swimming Association

Upstart Americans On Open Water Wednesday

SwimNetwork posted a description of the swims by Fran Crippen and Andrew Gemmell, two upstart Americans who medaled at the World Swimming Championship 10K race in Rome last month. Click here to read.

Fran and Andrew will next face the world's best swimmers in New York City at the Pagganck Mile on September 5th and the NYC Pro Swim on September 6th - the only American stop on the FINA 10KM Marathon Swimming World Cup circuit).

Open Water Shots From The World Championships

The 2009 World Swimming Championships finished this weekend in Rome. FINA took some great photos from the open water swimming events held in Ostia Beach:

Photo of the women's lead pack by Matthais Hangst.

"It was rougher and faster than I thought it would be," recalled first-time competitor Emily Brunemann who placed a respectible 9th in the 5K and 24th in the 10K race.


Photo of the feeding station by Matthais Hangst showing a wide variety of feeding sticks.

There are regulations on the length or type of the feeding sticks that can be used including the size of the flag at the end that must be limited in size.


Photo by Matthais Hangst of silver medalist Andrew Gemmell congratulating his American teammate and bronze medalist Fran Crippen after the protested 10K race.

Notice the lanolin that has coagulated around their bodies and the timing transponders on both wrists.



Photo by Matthais Hangst of the large Italian crowds that cheered on their Italian heroes and all the other open water competitors from 42 different nations.

World Championship Men's 10K Race Results

The confirmed men's 10K race results from the 2009 World Championships are as follows:

Gold: Thomas Lurz (GER), 1:52:06.9
Silver: Andrew Gemmell (USA), 1:52:08.3
Bronze: Fran Crippen (USA), 1:52:10.7

4. Valerio Cleri (ITA), 1:52:11.4
5. Brian Ryckeman (BEL), 1:52:13.1
6. Spyridon Gianniotis (GRE), 1:52:13.6
7. Francisco Jose Hervas (ESP), 1:52:14.7
8. Trent Grimsey (AUS), 1:52:14.8
9. Mazen Metwaly (EGY), 1:52:14.9
10. Evgeny Drattsev (RUS), 1:52:15.0
11. Luis Escober (MEX), 1:52:18.0
12. Jakub Fichtl (CZE), 1:52:24.0
13. Csaba Gercsak (HUN), 1:52:28.0
14. Arseniy Lavrentyev (POR), 1:52:28.2
15. Diego Nogueira Montero (ESP), 1:52:37.1
16. Antonio Fokaidis (GRE), 1:52:41.3
17. Daniel Fogg (GBR), 1:52:44.3
18. Sergey Bolshakov (RUS), 1:52:44.5
19. Ivan Lopez (MEX), 1:52:45.9
20. Julien Codevelle (FRA), 1:52:47.2
21. Rhys Mainstone (AUS), 1:52:50.2
22. Allan Do Carmo (BRA), 1:52:52.2
23. Chad Ho (RSA), 1:53:13.1
24. Bertrand Venturi (FRA), 1:53:14.5
25. Adel El-Behary (EGY), 1:53:52.1
26. Simon Tobin-Daignault (CAN), 1:53:53.9
27. Christian Reichert (GER), 1:54:09.9
28. Michael Dmitriev (ISR), 1:54:29.6
29. Petar Stoychev (BUL), 1:54:50.8
30. Jan Posmourny (CZE), 1:55.17.4
31. Ventsislav Aydarski (BUL), 1:55:53.5
32. Simone Ercoli (ITA), 1:56:46.3
33. Daniel Viegas (POR), 1:58:21.3
34. Craig Hamilton (GBR), 1:58:55.7
35.Kurt Niehaus (CRC), 1:59:25.0
36. Ivan Enderica (ECU), 1:59:29.4
37. Philippe Dubreuil (CAN), 1:59:38.9
38. Marcelo Romanelli Soares (BRA), 2:00:42.2
39. Esteban Enderica (ECU), 2:01:48.8
40. Josip Soldo (CRO), 2:08:07.2
41. Tomislav Soldo (CRO), 2:12:19.8
42. Juan Prem Biere (GUA), 2:20:48.2
Elgun Babayev (AZE), DNF
Rusian Bolshakov (AZE), DNF
Angel Moreira (VEN), DNF
Igor Chervynskiy (UKR), DSQ
Igor Snitko (UKR), DSQ
Yvan Hernandez (VEN), DSQ

Getting Invited To The Table

In an unprecedented awards ceremony for open water swimmers at the World Swimming Championships, the men's 10K gold (Thomas Lurz), silver (Andrew Gemmell) and bronze (Fran Crippen) medalists received their medals at the main pool swimming complex.

Due to the open water swimming venues being located far away from the pool venue, open water swimmers have traditionally received their awards at a beach or rowing basin. However, due to a formal protest and appeal process, the men's 10K awards ceremony was moved to the main competition pool in Rome with all the protocols and ceremonies given the pool swimmers.

Morty Berger of NYC Pro Swim captured the ceremonies (see above and below) and reminded us of the symbolism of this awards ceremony. After being introduced at the Olympics and celebrated at the pool venue, open water swimming has finally arrived.

In another untraditional outcome, the American team had two medalists in the same event - the first time this has happened in an open water swimming event at the World Swimming Championships since the women's 25K race in 1991.

We salute Thomas, a 4-time world championship gold medalist, promising 18-year-old Andrew and the always tough Fran Crippen for representing the sport so well in front of our pool swimming friends.

American swimming fans will be able to see these men compete again on US soil at the Pagganck ProAm Mile and the NYC Pro Swim in New York City on September 5-6. The NYC Pro Swim is part of the 2009 FINA 10KM Marathon Swimming World Cup circuit.

Copyright © 2009 by World Open Water Swimming Association

Final Men's 10K World Championship Results

The FINA Jury of Appeal met today in Rome and decided to accept the appeal made by USA Swimming concerning the men’s 10K race held yesterday in Ostia Beach. The initial protest was filed by Italy and Greece and was accepted by the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and adjudicated today by FINA.

The medalists were officially confirmed as follows:

1. Thomas Lurz (GER), 1:52:06.9
2. Andrew Gemmell (USA), 1:52:08.3 - shown above with raised hand
3. Francis Crippen (USA), 1:52:10.7 - shown above with lanolin on torso

The medal ceremony will take place at the Foro Italico on July 24th after the women's diving 3-meter synchronised springboard final.

The Privilege of Representing One's Country

Shannon Gillespy, the USA Open Water National Team Manager, provided us with the following first-hand report from Italy:

"Wow, today was an exciting day for USA Open Water Swimming Team here in Ostia. To start our morning, our 10K women did a great job in their first international and world championship races."

"Emily Brunemann and Eva Fabian finished 24th and 26th respectfully in a hard fought battle in the Tyrannian Sea. Both ladies commented on how rough the competition was."

"Later, the USA men, Fran Crippen and Andrew Gemmell set off on a trek to a top-three finish. Andrew swam to a fantastic silver medal in his first World Championships."

"Also, at his first World Championships, Fran Crippen fought his way to the bronze medal. 'USA goes 2-3 in the 10K' was the first time the USA had received 2 medals in this event, although American women won a silver and bronze in the 1991 25K world championships."

"This trip is also my first international and world championship trip and, as the team manager, I have to say it is truly a privledge to represent the United States of America! We have two races left: the men's and women's 25K and if the past few days are any idea of what might happen, I am sitting on the edge of my seat!"

Photo of the entrance of the Open Water Village in Ostia Beach.

World Championship Men's 10K Results

Thomas Lurz wins an incredibly exciting race with 18-year-old Andrew Gemmell and Fran Crippen coming in second and third. What a finish! There were so many lead changes over the last 500 meters. Incredible.

Lurz Holds On For World Championship Gold

Thomas Lurz who last won the world 5K championship in 2005, swam solidly to capture another world championship gold medal.

Under near perfect conditions after days of strong winds, Thomas proved why he is one of the most successful open water swimmers today: He sat back in the pack when necessary, he took the lead when the opportunity presented itself, he made a surge to create separation and he closed with a strong sprint on the first day of open water swimming in Ostia, Italy.

Swimming World Magazine's article on the race is here.

The official results are as follows:

GOLD: Thomas Lurz, GER: 56:26.9
SILVER: Spyridon Gianniotis, GRE: 56:27.2
BRONZE: Chad Ho, RSA: 56:41.9
4. Luca Ferritti, ITA: 56:44.3
5. Andrew Gemmell, USA: 56:44.9
6. Loic Branda, FRA: 56:47.0
7. Francis Crippen, USA: 56:47.1
8. Diego Nogueira Montero, ESP: 56:47.2
9. Simone Ruffini, ITA: 56:47.3
10. Francisco Jose Hervas, ESP: 56:47.9
10. Vladimir Dyatchin, RUS: 56:47.9
12. Evgeny Drattsev, RUS: 56:48.5
13. Andrew Beato, AUS: 56:52.4
14. Rodrigo Elorza, MEX: 56:55.3
15. Csaba Gercsak, HUN: 57:07.1
16. Trent Grimsey, AUS: 57:07.2
17. Jan Posmourny, CZE: 57:07.8
18. Julien Sauvage, FRA: 57:09.6
19. Luiz Eduardo Lima, BRA: 57:11.1
20. Jakub Fichtl, CZE: 57:21.1
21. Jan Wolfgarten, GER: 57:31.7
22. David Creel, CAN: 57:37.1
23. Kostiantyn Ukradyga, UKR: 57:48.8
24. Richard Charlesworth, GBR: 57:57.4
25. Igor Snitko, UKR: 57:58.1
26. Luis Rogerio Arapiraca, BRA: 58:04.9
27. Daniel Viegas, POR: 58:05.0
28. Daniel Delgadillo, MEX: 58:17.7
29. Kurt Niehaus, CRC: 58:17.8
30. Esteban Enderica, ECU: 58:17.9
31. Gergely Gyurta, HUN: 58:20.8
32. Daniel Marais, RSA: 59:21.9
33. Alfie Howes, GBR: 59:36.8
34. Ivan Enderica, ECU: 59:40.1
35. Yvan Hernandez, VEN: 1:01:53.9
36. Angel Moreira, VEN: 1:01:57.1
37. Tomas Vachan, SVK: 1:02.06.8
38. Juan Prem Biere, GUA: 1:07:45.2
39. Mohammed Jassim Alghareeb, KSA: 1:07.49.8
Orel Jeffrey, ANT: Over time limit
Kareem Valentine, ANT: Over time limit

Open Water Gladiators Ready To Go

The men's 5K field at the World Swimming Championships was revised for tomorrow's world championships in Ostia, Italy. The 42 competitors' race numbers are noted below for the 11:00 am start time.

Chad Ho, the youngest swimmer in the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim at the age of 17, was typical of the men, "I am ready to go. I'm anxious to start."

His enthusiasm was echoed by one of the pre-race favorities and Olympic 10K Marathon Swim bronze medalist Thomas Lurz, "I feel good. I am ready. [The race course] looks good."

Televised live in Europe via Rai TV and covered live via Twitter with thousands more lining the beach, the attention paid to the open water gladiators will be plentiful.

1. Orei Jeffrey (ANT)
2. Kareem Valentine (ANT)
3. Andrew Beato (AUS)
5. Trent Grimsey (AUS)
10. Luis Rogerio Arapiraca (BRA)
12. Luiz Eduardo Lima (BRA
16. David Creel (CAN)
17. Philippe Dubreuil (CAN)
19. Kurt Niehaus (CRC)
22. Jakub Fichtl (CZE)
23. Jan Posmourny (CZE)
26. Esteban Enderica (ECU)
27. Ivan Enderica (ECU)
30. Francisco Jose Hervas (ESP)
31. Diego Nogueira Montero (ESP)
32. Loic Branda (FRA)
34. Julien Sauvage (FRA)
36. Richard Charlesworth (GBR)
39. Alfie Howes (GBR)
40. Thomas Lurz (GER)
42. Jan Wolfgarten (GER)
43. Antonios Fokaidis (GRE)
44. Spyridon Gianniotis (GRE)
45. Csaba Gercsak (HUN)
46. Gergely Gyurta (HUN)
52. Luca Ferretti (ITA)
53. Simone Ruffini (ITA)
54. Mohammed Jassim Alghareeb (KSA)
56. Daniel Delgadillo (MEX)
60. Andrew McMillan (NZL)
62. Daniel Viegas (POR)
63. Chad Ho (RSA)
64. Daniel Marais (RSA)
67. Evgeny Drattsev (RUS)
68. Vladimir Dyatchin (RUS)
71. Tomas Vachan (SVK)
74. Igor Snitko (UKR)
75. Kostiantyn Ukradyga (UKR)
76. Francis Crippen (USA)
77. Andrew Gemmell (USA)
80. Yvan Hernandez (VEN)
81. Angel Moreira (VEN)
82. Juan Prem Biere (GUA)

New Open Water Swim Times In Ostia

FINA confirmed that Ostia Beach will be the location of the 5K, 10K and 25K world championship races. The updated times and days of the open water races are as follows:

Tuesday, July 21st
9:00 am start for the women's 5K
11:00 am start for the men's 5K

Wednesday, July 22nd
9:00 am start for the women's 10K
1:00 pm start for the men's 10K

Saturday, July 25th
9:00 am start for the men's 25K
9:10 am start for the women's 25K

These decisions were made as a result of careful consideration of the available live TV time slots, the significant investment that Ostia has made in producing the large beachfront Open Water Village, the anticipated wind conditions over the next several days and the number of athletes who double-up in either the 5K and 10K races or the 10K and 25K races.

The winds that caused the initial delays to the open water structures (see above) were measured at 35 kmh. The winds expected on the 21st and 22nd are forecasted at between 15-25 kph. But the winds are expected to pick up to 46 kph on July 23rd which would make an open water race impossible to hold.

Photos by Andrew Gemmell of the USA who is swimming the 5K on Tuesday and the 10K on Wednesday.

Latest Updates From The World Championships

Reporting from Rome:

1. The technical open water swimming for the 5K race will be held today and will give the swimmers an indication of what to expect on race day as the turn buoys have not yet been anchored on the course.

2. Construction continues frantically at all the World Championship facilities, but FINA and the local organizing committee expect everything to be set by opening ceremonies. Exhibitor booths are being set up, carpet is being laid, signage is being posted and paint is being laid down by hundreds of small crews.

3. Swimsuit manufacturers are nearly as frantic as FINA has mandated that their products are provided for free to all the athletes. Booths are set up to provide access to the athletes. "We will have 11 manufacturers providing swimsuits free of charge," said Cornel Marculescu, FINA's Executive Director. "It's up to the swimmers to choose which suit they want. The important thing is that there is equal conditions and availability. All of the swimsuits will have a FINA label attached to them to show they are approved."

4. Like the Olympics, athletes are coming from all over the world. "It's going to be a fantastic championships. We have the highest participation ever, with 2,600 athletes from 184 countries - plus 2,000 coaches, officials and delegates," said Cornel.

5. The open water events are held along the only public stretch of beach in Ostia, sandwiched between dozens of private beaches along the Tyrrhenian Sea where 12 euros (at a minimum) will get you an umbrella and a spot on the black sand.

6. 30 minutes to the east by train, swimming and diving will be held in permanent pools that were also used for the 1960 Olympics and 1994 World Championships (see photo on left). Two temporary pools will be used for water polo and synchronized swimming.


7. Fran Crippen, the lone veteran of the USA Swimming national open water team (see photo above), will swim the 5K and 10K with newcomers Emily Brunemann (5K and 10K), Eva Fabian (10K and 25K), Emily Hanson (5K and 25K), Andrew Gemmell (5K and 10K), Sean Ryan (25K) and Alex Meyer (25) similarly confident about their prospects at the World Championships. Their first pool workout was held in a 51.5-meter pool (due to a missing bulkhead).

8. Fans, teammates and family can follow the 5K and 10K events in real-time via Twitter - check out http://twitter.com/swimopenwater.

Copyright © 2009 by World Open Water Swimming Association

American TV Coverage of Swimming

Most of the American open water swimming team competing in the 5K, 10K and 25K races in Rome at the World Swimming Championships will also compete in the USA Swimming National Championships and World Championship (pool) Trials this coming week.

NBC and Universal Sports will televise and webcast the championship events between July 7-11 from Indianapolis where Michael Phelps will be showcased in the most important pool swimming meet on American soil this year.

Universal Sports will broadcast live on Tuesday, July 7 and Wednesday, July 8, both beginning at 6:00 pm. NBC will package the remainder of the meet and broacast on Saturday, July 11 from 1–3 pm., and on Sunday, July 12 from 2-3 pm.

All the preliminary and final sessions will also be webcast live on SwimNetwork where American open water swimming stars Emily Brunemann (see above), Emily Hanson, Andrew Gemmell and Sean Ryan will compete. The television schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday, July 7: 6:00 – 8:30 pm live on Universal Sports
• Wednesday, July 8: 6:00 – 7:45 pm live on Universal Sports
• Saturday, July 11: 1:00 to 3:00 pm taped on NBC
• Sunday, July 12: 2:00 to 3:00 pm taped on NBC

Big Bank For An Open Water Buck

Like its counterparts in Australia, Great Britain, Italy, Russia, Spain and many other countries, USA Swimming invests in the development of its open water swimmers.

An effective use of resources is the annual National Open Water Select Camp where America's top distance freestylers are introduced to open water swimming.

Admittedly, after an intensive introduction to the sport, some of the athletes prefer to stick with the pool, but many athletes continue in the sport...and thrive in domestic and international competitions.

After the 2009 open water camp, we did a little analysis of the campers' performance at the 2009 World Swimming Championships Trials.

In the women's 5K race, won by 17-year-old Chloe Sutton of Mission Viejo Nadadores, the swimmers who have attended the camp placed 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 18th and 21st.

In the men's 5K race, won by Fran Crippen of Germantown Academy, the swimmers who attended the camp placed 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 12th, 13th, 18th, 21st, 24th and 25th. What is remarkable about the athletes' performance is that the 5K race was very tactical under difficult (i.e., wavy and difficult-to-navigate) conditions.

In the women's 10K race, won by University of Michigan's Emily Brunemann, campers placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 11th and 17th.

In the men's 10K race, also won by Fran Crippen, the campers placed 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 14th, 19th, 23rd, 25th, 31st and 33rd.

The windless 10K race was held under vastly different conditions than the rough water 5K race. Under glassy conditions, the campers utilized a variety of racing tactics and drafting methods they just recently learned to hold their own against the rest of America's best open water swimmers.

In the 5K race, 16-year-old Aja Van Hout of the Badger Aquatics Club made a strong move at the 3.5K mark in which she sprinted from the second (trailing) pack up to the first (leading) pack. This move in the middle of the race helped her secure a top 8 finish. "It was really fun. I liked it."

Similarly, Harvard University's senior captain Alex Meyer made a move at the end of the 10K race when he pulled up alongside the lead pack that gradually led to his qualification to the 2009 World Swimming Championships. "I knew that I had to hold on [in order to draft and be in position to qualify]. I am looking forward to swimming the 25K in Rome."

At the upcoming 2009 World Swimming Championships, the 7-member American team will consist of six campers (with Fran as the only non-camper). The team will include the following:

Fran Crippen (Germantown Academy) in the 5K and 10K*
Delaware Swim Team (Delaware Swim Team) in the 5K and 10K
Sean Ryan (Scenic City Aquatic Club) in the 25K
Alex Meyer (Ithaca Aquatics Club) in the 25K
Emily Brunemann (Club Wolverine) in the 5K and 10K
Eva Fabian (Greenwood Memorial Swim Club) in the 10K and 25K
Emily Hanson (Club Wolverine) in the 5K and 25K (shown above together with camp director Dave Thomas)

The USA will field one of the least experienced teams at the world swimming championships, but their speed, endurance and newly learned racing tactics will help make them very competitive. As they all look towards the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim at the 2012 London Olympics, their first step begins in Rome.

* Swimming World Magazine's Morning Swim Show posted an interview with Fran where he takes a look back at his swims in Florida and his swims in the future.

Copyright © 2009 by World Open Water Swimming Association

Good Bang For An Open Water Buck

Like its counterparts in Australia, Great Britain, Italy, Russia, Spain and many other countries, USA Swimming invests in the development of its open water swimmers.

One of its most effective uses of resources is the annual National Open Water Select Camp where America's top young distance freestylers are selected and introduced to open water swimming.

Admittedly, after an intensive introduction to the sport, some of the athletes prefer to stick with the pool, but many athletes continue in the sport...and thrive in domestic and international competitions.

After the 2009 open water camp, we did a little analysis of the campers' performance at the 2009 World Swimming Championships Trials.

In the women's 5K race, won by 17-year-old Chloe Sutton of Mission Viejo Nadadores, the swimmers who have attended the camp placed 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 18th and 21st.

In the men's 5K race, won by Fran Crippen of Germantown Academy, the swimmers who attended the camp placed 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 12th, 13th, 18th, 21st, 24th and 25th. What is remarkable about the athletes' performance is that the 5K race was very tactical under difficult (i.e., wavy and difficult-to-navigate) conditions.

In the women's 10K race, won by University of Michigan's Emily Brunemann, campers placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 11th and 17th.

In the men's 10K race, also won by Fran Crippen, the campers placed 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 14th, 19th, 23rd, 25th, 31st and 33rd.

The windless 10K race was held under vastly different conditions than the rough water 5K race. Under glassy conditions, the campers utilized a variety of racing tactics and drafting methods they just recently learned to hold their own against the rest of America's best open water swimmers.

In the 5K race, 16-year-old Aja Van Hout of the Badger Aquatics Club made a strong move at the 3.5K mark in which she sprinted from the second (trailing) pack up to the first (leading) pack. This move in the middle of the race helped her secure a top 8 finish. "It was really fun. I liked it."

Similarly, Harvard University's senior captain Alex Meyer made a move at the end of the 10K race when he pulled up alongside the lead pack that gradually led to his qualification to the 2009 World Swimming Championships. "I knew that I had to hold on [in order to draft and be in position to qualify]. I am looking forward to swimming the 25K in Rome."

At the upcoming 2009 World Swimming Championships, the 7-member American team will consist of six campers (with Fran as the only non-camper). The team will include the following:

Fran Crippen (Germantown Academy) in the 5K and 10K*
Delaware Swim Team (Delaware Swim Team) in the 5K and 10K
Sean Ryan (Scenic City Aquatic Club) in the 25K
Alex Meyer (Ithaca Aquatics Club) in the 25K
Emily Brunemann (Club Wolverine) in the 5K and 10K
Eva Fabian (Greenwood Memorial Swim Club) in the 10K and 25K
Emily Hanson (Club Wolverine) in the 5K and 25K (shown above together with camp director Dave Thomas)

The USA will field one of the least experienced teams at the world swimming championships, but their speed, endurance and newly learned racing tactics will help make them very competitive. As they all look towards the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim at the 2012 London Olympics, their first step begins in Rome.

* Swimming World Magazine's Morning Swim Show posted an interview with Fran where he takes a look back at his swims in Florida and his swims in the future.

Copyright © 2009 by World Open Water Swimming Association

Americans Heading To Rome

2007 Pan American Games 10K champion Fran Crippen will be the only veteran on a young American team at the 2009 World Swimming Championships in Rome.

Fran, Andrew Gemmell of Delaware and NCAA champion Emily Brunemann will each swim the 5K and 10K.

16-year-old Sean Ryan and Harvard senior Alex Meyer will both do the 25K. Eva Fabian will double-up in the 10K and 25K and Emily Hanson of the University of Michigan will double-up in the 5K and 25K.

Copyright © 2009 by World Open Water Swimming Association

Great Canadian and American National 10K Championship Race in Florida

Swimming World Magazine covered the strategic USA Swimming National 10K Open Water Swimming Championship in Ft. Myers this warm Sunday morning in Florida.

As America's most experienced international referee Sid Cassidy summarized the competitive race for the Swimming World Magazine, "This was unlike any other race on American soil. It was much more like an international race. It was strategic, the swimmers were making moves and being physical. It was an incredibly effective race, especially for our young [swimmers]."

Read the Swimming World Magazine article here. The results are as follows:

Top 10 Men's Results
1. Philippe Debreuil (Team Canada/Sherwood, Canada), 1:51:38.74
2. Fran Crippen (Germantown Academy Aquatics), 1:52:41.37
3. Andrew Gemmell (Delaware Swim Team), 1:52:43.14
4. Sean Ryan (Scenic City Aquatic Club), 1:52:45.95
5. Alex Meyer (Unattached), 1:52:46.74
6. Deni Cullom (Mission Viejo Nadadores), 1:52:49.42
7. Joe Kinderwater (WSY Swimming), 1:53:06.83
8. Mark Warkentin (Santa Barbara Aquatics Club), 1:53:23.78
9. Connor Signorin (Peddie Aquatic Association), 1:53:32.32
10. Simon Tobin (UL, Canada), 1:53:36.67

Top 10 Women's Results
1. Emily Brunemann (Club Wolverine), 1:58:11.38
2. Eva Fabian (Greenwood Memorial Swim Club), 1:58:13.24
3. Emily Hanson (Club Wolverine), 1:58:27.57
4. Chloe Sutton (Mission Viejo Nadadores), 1:58:54.00
5. Christine Jennings (Minnesota Aquatics), 1:58:54.30
6. Nicole Vernon (Delaware Swim Team), 2:01:43.29
7. Heidi George (Los Altos & Mountain View), 2:01:48.32
8. Kirsten Groome (First Colony Swim Team), 2:02:11.99
9. Claire Thompson (West Florida Lightning Aquatic), 2:03:42.50
10. Zsofia Balazs (Team Canada, Canada), 2:03:44.37

Photo shows Sid Cassidy giving a yellow flag to a swimmer in the 10K race in Ft. Myers.

Copyright © 2009 by World Open Water Swimming Association

10K Swim To Rome

This morning in Florida, the USA Swimming National 10K Open Water Swimming Championship will be held with spots open for the American and Canadian world championship team up for grabs.

Grab is a relative term.

"The women are actually rougher than the men. The women just get downright dirty out there. It's going to be a great race," said race organizer Gregg Cross who has been hosting this competitive event for years.

The women field will be tough with newcomers like Emily Brunemann and Emily Hanson (shown on left), both of Club Wolverine, trying to stay with and knock off veterans like Olympian Chloe Sutton, Kirsten Groome, Eva Fabian and Dawn Heckman. On the men's side, Olympian Mark Warkentin and Pan American Games champion Fran Crippen will be trying to do the same with a hungry field including Andrew Gemmell, Adam DeJong (shown on left), Alex Meyer, Connor Signorin, Sean Ryan and Henry Stephenson.

"It's like watching a Tour de France bike race," said Gregg. "Those guys are bumping, kicking, drafting. They are world-class athletes, so they know all the tricks."

Copyright © 2009 by World Open Water Swimming Association