Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.
Dear Mr. Marculescu,
after the first year with the new OWS world series formula, with reference to the meeting will be held in Cancun the next 19 October I would like to introduce some remarks and suggestions:
1) The 2 news series obtained different results:
– the 10 km races, compared to 2006, increased:
• + 4% the number of participants ( total 2006: 331 – now: 344 )
• + 4 % the number of swimmers ( total 2006: 186 – now: 193 )
• + 8 % the number of female participants ( total 2006: 145 – now: 156 )
• + 11 % the number of female swimmers ( total 2006: 85 – now: 94 )
( dates updated before the last 4 races!!! When the serie will finish there will be an average increase of 20 – 25 % );
– the races over 10 km, compared to 2006, decreased:
• – 29% the number of participants ( total 2006: 182 – now: 130 )
• – 21 % the number of swimmers ( total 2006: 77 – now: 61 )
• – 29% participants by sex: women ( total 2006: 69 – now: 49 )
• – 35% swimmers by sex: women ( total 2006: 32 – now: 21 )
• – 29% participants by sex: men ( total 2006: 113 – now: 81 )
• – 12% swimmers by sex: men ( total 2006: 45 – now: 40 )
• – 25% Federation participants ( total 2006: 87 – now: 66 )
• a lot of important swimmers, always take part at the race on a distance of 10 Km and over 10 km, this year took part at 10 km races only: El Zanaty, Gomez, Kudinov, Maurer, Kamrau-Corestein, Pankina, ect…. )
( dates updated before the last race!!! When the serie will finish there will be an average decrease of 25 – 30% or more);
It means the new formula had a very good benefit to the 10 km races but not the same for the races over 10 km, with all the best swimmers ( especially among the women ) interested at the short races only.
With the prospect FINA should be good for the entire discipline:
an idea to add the benefits for the races over 10 km:
It’s important have 2 different series with two final world champions and they win FINA final money prize but it could be important have a general open water champion too ( with another little FINA money prize for the first 3 swimmers, male and female, only )
At the moment the total is US $ 162.000 ( 81.000 10 km + 81.000 over 10 km ).
FINA could have a total money prize by series: US $ 146.000 ( 73.000 + 73.000 ) and a general money prize of US $ 16.000.
2) A lot of swimmers / National Federations ( especially in the races over 10 km ) didn’t sent to the OC info about their absence at the race. Other swimmers / National Federations sent info about their absence ( a lot of times without an important reason ) few hours before their expected arrival. So the O.C.’s didn’t have the time to call substitutes.
These swimmers / National Federations cause a big damage to the host Federation and to the O.C.s. An image and ecomic damage. Also because they are forced to pay accomodation, escort boat, etc. For the 2007 Capri-Napoli we expected 22/23 swimmers and only 15 swimmers arrived in Naples and took part at the race!!!
I think it’s important to defend the rights of the swimmers but it’s also important to defend the rights of the O.C.s work and are investing in this discipline.
In the 2 cases up reported ( for exemple ) it could be a good thing if the swimmer / National Federation is disqualified for 1 or more races ( or he/she has to pay a fine ). Above all if the swimmer / National Federation will not provide a written proof from a medical professional about his/her absence.
3) National Federations will take part at least at 2 Grand Prix races will have the chance to participate to the FINA World Championships ( 25 km race only ) with 3 swimmers instead than 2.
4) Swimmers never swam a race over 10 km ( FINA Grand Prix ) will not eligible to swim the 25 km race to the FINA World Championships.
I hope FINA will consider these and/or other suggestions and will discuss about it at the meeting in Cancun.
Sincerely,
Luciano Cotena
( Capri-Napoli O.C. President )
Copyright © 2008-2018 by World Open Water Swimming Association