Maracas Open Water Classic in Trinidad & Tobago

Under bright sunshine in Trinidad & Tobago, 2009 World championship bronze medalist Fran Crippen of the USA and local swimmer Kimberlee John Williams won the male and female titles at the 3K Maracas Open Water Classic this weekend.

Fran won in 37:36 followed Luke Hoffer of North Carolina Aquatics in 40:03 with Stefan Sharpe third in 40:12. Fran said, "I had a wonderful time in Trinidad and thoroughly enjoyed the race."

Kimberlee won in 46:20 seconds, 18th overall, followed by Lexi Mendes of North Carolina Aquatics in 46:29 and Theana Hay of Marlins in 46:45. Gordon Borde celebrated his 57th participation in the race by winning the 70–74 age group. The full results can be seen here.

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.

NYC Pro Swim On TV Globo And Swimming World TV

Fran Crippen talks about his chances to upset world champion Thomas Lurz and the world's best marathon swimmers in tomorrow's NYC Pro Swim in a Morning Swim Show segment.

Click here to watch the Swimming World TV.

TV Globo, the largest broadcaster in Latin America with over 40 million viewers in Brazil, will also film the NYC Pro Swim as 3 of Brazil's top swimmers will be there including Poliana Okimoto, Ana Cunha and Allan Do Carmo.

Follow the race live via Twitter at http://twitter.com/swimopenwater.

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?

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).

Crippen And Nunez Win Traversee du Lac Megantic

Fran Crippen of the USA (shown on right with Damian Blaum of Argentina) and Esther Nunez of Spain are $3,000 richer for having won La Traversée internationale du lac Mégantic in very dramatic fashion over competitors from 7 different countries in the Quebec, Canada.


Fran finished just ahead of German Alexander Studzinski, Australian David Browne and Damian Blaum.

Like their endurance cycling counterparts, Fran, Alexander, David and Damian swam in the peloton throughout the 10K race before Fran finished in his usually dramatic and frantic style to win in the last ten meters, winning for the second consecutive year. Canadian Xavier Desharnais was fifth.

"I am very happy with my race. It was a very fast race and I worked hard to get ahead of [the others]," said Fran to a finish crowd of over a thousand people. "I plan to be back in 2010."

Esther prevented Australian Shelley Clark of Australia from defending her title...but it onlye came in the last five meters. Canadian Béatrice Pineau and Joanie Guillemette-Simard took third and fourth place.

La Traversée internationale du lac Mégantic results are as follows:

1. Esther Nunez (Spain), 2:37:35.85
2. Shelley Clark (Australia), 2:37:36.00
3. Béatrice Pineau (Canada), 2:37:51.11
4. Joanie Guillemette-Simard (Canada), 2:45:37.32
5. Noelia Petti (Argentina), 2:48:58.51
6. Caitlin Nolan (Canada), 2:49:47.49
7. Jasmine Frappier (Canada), 2:51:49.67
8. Édith Jochems-Tranguay (Canada), 3:04:54.25
9. Élise Jetté (Canada), 3:17:34.16
10. Nancy Thibault (Canada), 3:24:16.18
11. Vicky Desrosiers-Tassé (Canada), 3:31:01.06
12. Kathryn Gagnon (Canada), DNF

1. Fran Crippen (USA), 2:19:54.03
2. Alexander Studzinsky (Germany), 2:19:54.53
3. David Browne (Australia), 2:19:55.32
4. Damian Blaum (Argentina), 2:20:00.00
5. Xavier Desharnais (Canada), 2:30:55.78
6. Henrique Fructuozo (Brazil), 2:35:36.44
7. Antoine David (Canada), 2:37:45.47
8. Alexandre Lemieux-Fortin (Canada), 2:47:33.76
9. Alexandre Day (Canada), 2:48:25.53
10. Étienne Couture (Canada), 2:52:40.80
11. Christopher Bojanowsky (Canada), 4:09:05.50
12. Jean-Sébastien Cournoyer (Canada), DNF
13. Raymond-Louis Laquerre (Canada), DNF
14. Olivier Hodgson (Canada), DNF

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.

Footage Of The Thrilling Races In Rome

For those outside Europe who are not fortunate to watch the great Rai TV live and repeated television coverage of the open water swimming at the 2009 World Swimming Championships, here is some nice footage of the open water swimming races at Ostia Beach, including the thrilling men's 10K race won by Thomas Lurz:



Copyright © 2009 by World Open Water Swimming Association

Camaraderie Of Open Water Teammates

We are always touched by the camaraderie shown by open water swimmers.

In this photo by Dr. Jim Miller of the action at the feeding station during the women's 25 km world championship race, 10 km bronze medalist Fran Crippen is shown holding a feeding stick to provide hydration to teammate Eva Fabian.

Towards the right, head coach Catherine Vogt is seen getting prepared to drop the feeding stick to the water's edge for Emily Hanson.

Because open water swimmers know well what they all go through, during practice and during races, the bonds that they forge are deep, emotional and long-lasting.

FINA official Rick Walker tells us of the time he was on a feeding station at a previous world championship and a swimmer from Guyana swam by the feeding station without hydration. The next time the swimmer passed, Walker extended his feeding stick to the swimmer who smiled broadly, drank quickly and waved in appreciation. By the time, the swimmer had passed a third time, the swimmer had offers of hydration from most of the coaches on the feeding station. It was not about competition at that point, it was about the camaraderie of open water swimmers.

Copyright © 2009 by World Open Water Swimming Association

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

First-Person Account Of Men's 10K Finish

Here is a first-person description by Fran Crippen of his controversial 10K race - and its outcome - at the 2009 World Swimming Championships:

"Wow what a day! The last 36 hours has been a roller coaster of emotions."

"I guess it started with frustration when I was barreling into the finish of the 10K and went head on into the yellow finish buoy. These buoys are 50 meters from the finish and are used to mark the beginning of the finish chute. I had been breathing to my right and was concentrating so much on sprinting efficiently and trying to win the race that I misjudged my position. My momentum carried me under the buoy and when I popped up I came to a dead stop and was on the wrong side of the lane lines."

"After a few hard strokes I dove under the lane line, put my head down, and put everything I had into trying to catch back up to Thomas Lurz. I was able to recover, pass a few competitors, and grab the bronze medal. As soon I finished I was beyond elated when I found out that my team mate, Andrew Gemmel, got silver. Silver and bronze for the US- Awesome!"

"While preparing for the awards ceremony I learned that the Italians - who had a swimmer finish fourth - had protested that finish. I immediatly thought it was a joke. The only person I hurt was myself! I came to a complete stop with 50 meters to go and didn't interfere with any other swimmers- how can that be cheating? We thought that the protest would be thrown out immediately, but to our suprise the head referee approved the Italian's position."

"We immediately protested the protest and that was refuted by the head referee. At this point, I was in shock. I just swam one of the best 10K's of my career and it was becoming clear that I was going to be disqualified. Our final move was to appeal to higher court."

"So this morning, Catherine Vogt, Paul Asmuth, Jack Roach, Mark Schubert and I went before the FINA burea with our appeal. This consists of 24 members from countries all around the world that would rule on the race. We were confident that justice would prevail and the board would understand that I did not break any rules and only hurt myself - still it was very unnevering."

"This morning we drove into Rome for the hearing. We constructed an appeal doccument and submitted it to the board, but then were left outside to sit and wait. I felt like we waited for hours, but finally, after the Bureau's deliberation, we received news that we had won the appeal."

"It was an amazing feeling and to say we were thrilled would be an understatement. I never envisioned that winning my first medal at world championships would be such an ordeal but all in all it was a success."

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)

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

Open Water Wednesday Analyzes American Team In Rome

Yesterday, Swim Network posted an analysis of the Rome USA Swimming national open water team swimmers heading to the World Swimming Championships. The Open Water Wednesday report can be seen here

Photo by Erin Greene shows victorious Fran Crippen being congratulated by his competitors at the end of the men's 10K national open water championships in Ft. Myers.

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.

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