Up And Down The River In New York City

Amy Bolger put together a vivid montage of photos from the NYC Pro Swim that gives you a great feeling of being at the venue, in the feeding boats, on the water and at the finish line.

Enjoy Amy's slideshow here.

Photo shows Poliana Okimoto with second-place Eva Fabian and third-place Angela Maurer of Germany.

NYC Pro Swim Images

Various images from the NYC Pro Swim are below. More photos from David Nager and race information can be seen at NYC Pro Swim.

RCN, a major provider of Internet-TV-phone communications to corporations in the Northeast USA, was the sponsor of the NYC Pro Swim.

Lurz And Okimoto Win In New York City World Cup

Thomas Lurz and Poliana Okimoto won exciting races in the FINA 10KM Marathon Swimming World Cup in New York City this evening.

Full story on the race is in Swimming World Magazine. Click here to read.

Full results below:

1. Thomas Lurz (Germany), 1:47:41.5
2. Vladimir Dyatchin (Russia), 1:47:43.5
3. Francis Crippen (USA), 1:47:43.9
4. Chad Ho (South Africa), 1:47:44.5
5. Allan Do Carmo (Brazil), 1:47:48.0
6. Evgeny Drattsev (Russia), 1:47:49.0
7. Sergiy Fesenko (Azerbaidjan), 1:47:52.5
8. Petar Stoychev (Bulgaria), 1:48:08.0
9. Andrew Douglas Gemmell (USA), 1:48:50.2
10. Kane Radford (New Zealand), 1:49:11.9
11. Alexander Maxwell Meyer (USA), 1:51:45.0
12. Luis Escobar (Mexico), 1:53:04.9
13. Charles Denison Cullom (USA), 1:53:18.9
14. Arthur Frayler (USA), 1:53:58.3
15. Daniel Fogg (GBR), 1:54:27.4
16. Daniel Delgadillo (Mexico), 1:57:48.9
17. Barton Wells (USA), 2:03:30.9
18. Andres Olvik (Estonia), 2:04:44.9
- Ivan Lopez (Mexico), DNS
- David Davies (GBR), DNF
- Richard Charlesworth (GBR), DNS
- Rodrigo Elorza (Mexico), DNS
- Penaillilo Roberto (Chile), DNF

Women
1. Poliana Okimoto (Brazil), 2:04:40.8
2. Eva Fabian (USA, below), 2:04:45.3
3. Angela Maurer (Germany), 2:05:24.6
4. Ana Cunha (Brazil), 2:05:25.9
5. Karla Sitic (Croatia), 2:05:27.1
6. Mathilde Riis Sorensen (Denmark), 2:05:45.7
7. Alejandra Gonzalez (Mexico), 2:05:51.0
8. Christine Jennings (USA), 2:05:53
19. Emily Ann Brunemann (USA), 2:05:53.4
10. Heidi George (USA), 2:05:55.4
11. Nadine Pastor (Germany), 2:07:20.2
12. Odette Saldivar (Mexico), 2:07:26.7
13. Swann Oberson (Switzerland), 2:07:28.6
14. Inga Kozur (Azerbaidjan), 2:08:21.3
15. Keri-Anne Payne (GBR), 2:08:28.0
16. Emily Ann Hanson (USA), 2:11:14.3
- Cassandra Patten (GBR), DNF
- Lisa Broadfield (USA), DNF

Lower photo shows Statue of Liberty in distance.

Copyright © 2009 by World Open Water Swimming Association

New York Is One Tough Town, Especially Today

Many of the world's best open water swimmers are ready to compete in the NYC Pro Swim under sunny skies this evening off the shores of the Statue of Libery. Like boxers in a heavyweight title match, they know what lies ahead - currents, eddies, surges, a sprint to the finish and physical altercations where they do their best to keep their composure.

"There is a lot of pushing and shoving and nobody wants to give you an inch," said a competitor. "You are constantly being battered and whacked and most of it is deliberate, it just goes with the territory."

Photo by Javier Blazquez shows an American swimmer (in the white swim cap) surrounded by an Australian (white and green swim cap), Brazilian (green swim cap) and German (black swim cap) at the women's 5K world championship in 2008.

Good Water Quality For The New York City Pro Swim

For years, the waters around Manhattan have had the reputation of being unsuitable for swimming. But, years of improved environmental standards and focused public and private attention have led to a remarkable change.

This is especially helpful and appreciated to all who do NYC Swim events around New York, especially those who will participate in this weekend's NYC Pro Swim.

This week, Beau Ranheim, a marine biologist who monitors water quality in New York Harbor for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, took water samples at four permanent water quality monitoring standards around the course (see aerial photo above showing lower Manhattan Island and Governors Island where the NYC Pro Swim will be held).

The results show that the open waters of New York Harbor are fine nearly all the time - as over 14,000 people annually realize in various events in the New York area. Remarkably, even when it has rained (which raises the probabilities of pollutants fouling the waters) over the last two months, none of the sample test results have exceeded the water quality standards set by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, although minor issues may have existed near shore.

The water quality (bacteria) test results shown below were taken on Wednesday, September 2nd and reported to the FINA Medical Delegate. The readings are below the threshold for both entero and fecal, where the maximum parameters are 104 and 200 respectively.

Note: GI-1 is located at the northwest corner of Governors Island while G2, G3 and G4 are located near the other corners of the island.

GI-1: 60 fecal, E4 entero
GI-2: 36 fecal, 1 entero
GI-3: 15 fecal, 4 entero
GI-4: 23 fecal, <1 entero

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?

What's Governors Island (NYC Pro Swim)?

The New Yorker produced a video on Governors Island where the NYC Pro Swim will be held on September 6th.

The video shows where the world's fastest open water swimmers will compete, including at least 4 Olympic 10K Marathon Swim medalists and 6 2009 World Swimming Championship medalists.

Let's Get Ready To Rumble ... In New York City

The New York Post ran a short piece on the upcoming NYC Pro Swim on its Rumble page yesterday.

The 10K NYC Pro Swim should be a very entertaining and exciting race where fans can see the athletes close-up making some key tactical choices:

Swim next to the seawall to gain the benefit of a current, but swim through and against backwash and eddies, or swim away from the seawall where the water will be more calm, but with less current.

Stewards Of The Waterways

Meghan Lynn, Assistant Editor of FINA Aquatics World, writes about the new FINA professional marathon swims in New York, Copenhagen, Varna and Sharjah (UAE) in an interesting article on the growing number of cities that are embracing elite open water swimming. Click here to read.

Aerial photo on left shows the New York Pro Swim course close to lower Manhattan Island (where Wall Street is) and within view of the Statue of Liberty (across the harbor).

Both photos are from the NYC Pro Swim website.

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).

Live From New York City...

NYC Swim has launched a dedicated website for its NYC Pro Swim on September 6th.

The NYC Pro Swim is the only American stop on the FINA 10KM Marathon Swimming World Cup circuit which will be held in full view of the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan Island.

NYC Swim will also host a pro-amateur swim, called the Pagganck Mile, on September 5th that will attract some of the best open water swimmers in the world.

This weekend, Varna (Bulgaria) will be the next stop on the FINA 10KM Marathon Swimming World Cup circuit. The festivities started a few days ago with the 69th edition of Galata Varna Swimming Marathon.

Tower 26 Tips On The Dwight Crum Pier-to-Pier Swim

Gerry Rodrigues, founder of Tower 26, provided 14 tips on how to swim well at this weekend's Dwight Crum Pier-to-Pier Swim in Southern California, one of the most competitive open water races in America.

We will Twitter from the starting and finish piers about the Pier-to-Pier Swim tomorrow.

The Dwight Crum Pier-to-Pier Swim is arguably America's fourth most competitive race behind the new international NYC Pro Swim in New York City, the fast RCP Tiburon Mile in San Francisco, and the tactical USA Swimming National 10K Championships in Ft. Myers, and up there with the popular Waikiki Roughwater Swim in Honolulu, the Lake Berryessa Swim in Northern California and the Great Chesapeake Bay Swim in Maryland.

The Dwight Crum Pier-to-Pier Swim is part of the annual International Surf Festival and is a 2-mile pier-to-pier race between the Hermosa Beach Pier to the Manhattan Beach Pier, a beautiful stretch of Southern California sun, sand and surf where many television and film industry types live and play.

Gerry's 14 tips for the race on Sunday, August 2nd are as follows:

Race day forecast: sunny, 1-2 foot surf every 7 seconds, high tide, possibly slight north current with low winds (i.e., smooth, lake-like conditions).

Tip #1: Do not start to the farthest right unless you are a 1:10 per 100-yard swimmer or faster.

Tip #2: Look for open spaces or pockets to enter as the horn sounds, both while running in the water and swimming at the start.

Tip # 3: It is possible there will be a dip or inshore hold due to the high tide. Be aware. You should check for this during your warm-up.

Tip #4: Keep looking for open spaces as you swim at an angle toward the Hermosa Pier.

Tip #5: Tightly round the pier, but swim approximately 15 feet or more if you are NOT a 1:10 per 100-yard swimmer or faster.

Tip #6: Begin sighing frequently for the Manhattan Pier, every 6-10 strokes.

Tip #7: There are three objects to assist in your navigation: (1) your position as you swim toward Manhattan Pier, (2) your position as you swim away from Hermosa Pier, and (3) your lateral distance from shore (you will need some right-sided breathing).

Tip #8: Draft as best you can off a faster swimmer, either at their feet or on their hips. Keep sighting frequently.

Tip #9: Buoy line - there are several buoys placed between the piers, use them as navigational targets.

Tip #10: If there is surf, it is best to stay a more outside course. But, the suggested course for this year's predicted conditions are a direct line, neither inside, not outside. However, any inshore or off-shore currents should be checked. Ask the lifeguards. Any positive currents, either in- or off-shore, would dictate a more inside or outside course.

Tip #11: As you round the Manhattan Pier, fast swimmers (1:10 per 100-yards or faster) can usually hug the pier with the anticipated low-surf conditions. Slower swimmers should approach the pier a bit wider, about 15-25 feet from the pier. Inexperienced swimmers should take wider turns at greater than 25 feet.

Tip #12: As you approach the finish, sight behind you, looking for waves so you are not surprised with a volume of water crashing on you. If you are confident, attempt to ride every wave as they should be rather small.

Tip #13: Expect in-shore holes or uneven ground. Swim or dolphin over them.

Tip #14: Smile as you run-up the beach. You just swam one of the most beautiful race courses in Southern California.

Photo of 2006 race finish.

Copyright © 2009 by World Open Water Swimming Association

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

Kicking Off The 2009 New York City Season

It is going to be an incredible year around New York City. The NYC Swim season started to great fanfare with its first race: the 1.3-mile Great Hudson River Swim in 15.5°C (60°F) water won by Jeff Jotz of Rahway, New Jersey in 27 minutes 17 seconds

The New York Daily News covered the Great Hudson River Swim on three consecutive days, including the race photo shown on left (photo by Watts).

With such signature events such as the 28.5-mile Manhattan Island Marathon Swim coming in early June and the new professional 1-mile Pagganck Mile and the greatly anticipated NYC Pro Swim - one of the FINA 10KM Marathon Swimming World Cup events - in September, there will be a lot more open water swimming news coming from the waters around New York City this year.

"It's a different way to see the city," Columbia University swim coach Abby Brethauer.

It certainly is.

New York New York

Despite the news of the cancellation of the Sabac professional marathon race in Serbia, we know first-hand that the NYC Pro Swim in New York City is going on as scheduled on Sunday, September 6, 2009.

New York will welcome the world’s best open water swimmers on the traditional Labor Day weekend in the U.S., racing within view of lower Manhattan Island and the Statue of Liberty.