Photo courtesy of Dr. Jim Miller.

Because of the strong winds and turbulence in the offshore waters of Playa del Carmen, Mexico, the course was slightly modified and the feeding pontoons were discarded in a nod for safety. Instead, coaches were asked to feed their athletes at the most recent FINA 10 km Marathon Swimming World Cup race from an in-the-water shoreline position.

The types, sizes, lengths, and colors of the feeding sticks are a sight to see.

For the full results of the race that saw Italy’s Martina Grimaldi (first), Poliana Okimoto (second), and Ana Marcela Cunha (third) take the podium places, visit here.

Copyright © 2014 by World Open Water Swimming Association