In beautiful Somabay in Egypt, the first stage of the 2024 World Aquatic Open Water Swimming World Cup series was held yesterday.

Under rough water, constantly choppy conditions in turquoise blue 21°C water churned up with a stiff wind, the race was close throughout the six-lap course.

The first 14 swimmers in the women’s race finished within 10 seconds of each other, but Germany’s Leonie Beck proved that her uncharacteristic finishes at the World Championships are well behind her. The prohibitive gold medal favorite at the Paris Olympics 10 km marathon swim out-sprinted Bettina Fabian of Hungary and won by 0.4 seconds.

Angela Martinez Guillen finished third, the first time that she captured a World Cup podium position. “This is an amazing moment for me, I’ve just won my first World Cup medal. It is a good motivation for the Olympics,” said the 20-year-old Spaniard.

Women’s Results

1. Leonie Beck, Germany (26) 2:04:31.00
2. Bettina Fabian, Hungary (19) 2:04:31.40
3. Angela Martinez Guillen, Spain (20) 2:04:33.80
4. Ginevra Taddeucci, Italy (26) 2:04:35.30
5. Ana Marcela Cunha, Brazil (32) 2:04:35.70
6. Lea Boy, Germany (24) 2:04:35.80
7. Caroline Laure Jouisse, France (29) 2:04:36.90
8. Viviane Jungblut, Brazil (27) 2:04:37.30
9. Candela Sanchez Lora, Spain (20) 2:04:37.40
10. Martha Sandoval, Mexico (25) 2:04:38.70
11. Anna Olasz, Hungary (30) 2:04:38.90
12. Lisa Pou, Monaco (24) 2:04:39.30
13. Barbara Pozzobon, Italy (30) 2:04:39.40
14. Fabienne Wenske, Germany (19) 2:04:41.70
15. Paula Otero Fernandez, Spain (19) 2:04:54.90
16. Veronica Santoni, Italy (25) 2:06:31.60
17. Ines Delacroix, France (21) 2:08:49.30
18. Lamees Elsokkary, Egypt (16) 2:15:39.90
19. Arwa Faisal Malek, Egypt (15) 2:19:24.80
20. Mariya Fedotova, Kazakhstan (24) 2:19:26.90
21. Darya Pushko, Kazakhstan (20) 2:19:34.80
22. Shadh Sameh, Egypt (19) 2:24:56.00
23. Zeina Ahmed Medhat, Egypt (15) 2:24:58.70
24. Nabila Hassan, Egypt (16) 2:27:58.00
25. Ayazhan Ainabekova, Kazakhstan (17) 2:28:59.10
26. Kenzy Hazem Moneeb, Egypt (17) 2:29:02.50
27. Hoda Gamal Salama, Egypt (17) 2:29:04.20
28. Aruna Slamgazy, Kazakhstan (17) 2:31:25.40
29. Saida Yelemes, Kazakhstan (15) 2:32:36.10
30. Yerkezhan Berikbol, Kazakhstan (15) DNF
31. Oceane Cassignol, France (23) DNF
32. Nadine Karim, Egypt (17) DNF

The World Aquatics World Cup rankings after Stage 1 are posted here.

To watch the races, visit the World Aquatics YouTube feed here.

© 2024 Daily News of Open Water Swimming

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