The fans in lac Mégantic were treated to a special event when some of the fastest and fiercest female open water swimmers in the world provided a remarkable demonstration of speed, strategy and stamina at the end of today’s FINA World Cup 10 km point-to-point course.

One week after she was relentlessly punished by lac Memphrémagog in the FINA Grand Prix event over a tough 7-hour period, Mother Nature continued to give Italy’s Martina Grimaldi no break at the Traversée internationale du lac Mégantic today.

Last week, Grimaldi held onto a slim lead, but took the wrong route to the finish and lost a victory that was nearly in her grasp. Heading right into surface chop built up by a stiff wind, Grimaldi made no major mistakes today and snatched victory over Americans Christine Jennings and Emily Brunemann.

The top 6 athletes were either former world champions or World Cup champions and each has a champion’s mindset. Just as unforgiving was Mother Nature, so too was the pace among the field. But it was Grimaldi’s day today, a greatly welcomed victory after last week’s devastating loss.

The official results:

1. Martina Grimaldi (Italy) 2:26:52
2. Christine Jennings (USA) 2:26:53
3. Emily Brunemann (USA) 2:26:55
4. Eva Fabian (USA) 2:26:56
5. Angela Maurer (Germany) 2:27:00
6. Ana Marcela Cunha (Brazil) 2:27:30
7. Jade Dusablon (Canada) 2:27:31
8. Heidi George (USA) 2:43:25
9. Marianna Souza (Brazil) 2:47:43
10. Giovanna Mattos (Brazil) OTL
11. Marie-Laurence Lortie (Canada) OTL
12. Daphnée Demers (Canada) OTL
13. Kathryn Gagnon (Canada) OTL
14. Nathalie Bergeron (Canada) OTL
15. Nicolas Ribas (Brazil) Abandon

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