Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.

Egyptian race organizer and influential FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee member Ayman Saad is treating the 134 athletes who are visiting Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates for this weekend’s FINA 10K Marathon Swimming World Cup extraordinarily well – unlike anywhere else on the FINA professional circuits (World Cup or Grand Prix)

The hotel used by the young athletes is described as gorgeous and no expenses are spared on the course at the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sport Club.

Rachele Bruni will find a much tougher field than they did when they won the last FINA World Cup race in Patagones Viedma, Argentina. The men’s winner in Argentina, Alex Meyer, is not participating in the Abu Dhabi race as are no other American athletes.

The Start List includes 84 male swimmers from 31 countries and 50 female swimmers from 20 countries. The 14 male Olympians and 15 female Olympians are going to ensure it is a very close and physical race:

Male Start List:
Australia: Jack Brazier, Bailey Armstrong, Simon Huitenga, Kai Edwards
Austria: Matthias Schweinzer
South Africa: Chad Ho (2008 Olympian)
Belgium: Davy Billiau
Brazil: Allan do Carmo (2008 + 2016 Olympian), Diogo Villarinho