The Daily News Of Open Water Swimming

To educate, entertain, and enthuse those who venture beyond the shore

Newsletter

Random News

Melissa Gorman Heading To Ocean Racing Championships

Michael Zoetmulder, founder of the 2K Ocean Racing Series World Championships, the Nelson Mandela Bay Bell Buoy Challenge and the King of Nelson Mandela Bay events in South Africa, is bringing in some major male and female open water swimming firepower to his three new events – all with a creative twist and prize money.

Besides English Channel world record holder and nine-time FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix champion Petar Stoychev, the reigning world 5K champion, Melissa Gorman of Australia is scheduled to compete in Nelson Mandela Bay to the thrill of South African sports fans.

The 2K Ocean Racing Series World Championships on April 3rd will kick-off the festivities at the Nelson Mandela Bay Splash Festival. The next day on April 4th, the stars will compete in the 7K Nelson Mandela Bay Bell Buoy Challenge with a cash prize pool of R33,000 (US$4,463). The 3-day series culminates on April 5th with the King of Nelson Mandela Bay, a unique, exciting elimination event for men and women where the athletes sprint race after race until the King and Queen of Nelson Mandela Bay are crowned and the cash prize purse of R29,000 (US$3,922) is distributed. The King of Nelson Mandela Bay event also includes a development 1K ocean swim for future ocean swimming royalty.

The 2K Ocean Racing Series World Championships is open to all swimmers who will be able to swim against the world’s best. The 20 best swimmers will compete in five heats. At the end of every heat, the last four swimmers to cross the line are eliminated. After a short 2-4 minute rest between each round, the next heat will begin. At the final heat, the remaining four swimmers will sprint for the top three cash prizes.

Tactically, the race favors swimmers with endurance, strategic nerve, patience, body surfing abilities and sprinting speed.

Copyright © 2010 by Steven Munatones

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top