China snatched six out the eight titles at stake and bagged two more silver medals. The Americans clinched the men’s 3m springboard title thanks to Christopher Colwill and made the podium in all events but the women’s 10m platform. Malaysia’s Huang Qiang/Bryan Nickson created a sensation again, taking home their second title in the men’s 3m springboard synchro. Other nations on the podium in Fort Lauderdale were Australia, Brazil, Canada and Mexico.

Among women, China dominated the operations with Wang Han triumphing in the 3m springboard with a total 377.40. Mexico’s Arantxa Chavez and local hope Christina Loukas completed the podium. Si Yajie (CHN) was the best in the 10m platform with a total score of 417.40, ahead of teammate Huixia Liu and Australia’s Brittany Broben, second and third, respectively.

In the men’s competition, Christopher Colwill (USA) captured the gold, scoring an overall 475.30 points while Li Shixin (CHN) and Alejandro Islas Arroyo (MEX) took silver and bronze, respectively. China’s Luxin Zhou took out the 10m platform in convincing fashion with a total 518.75 points. Home favourite Thomas Finchum was second and Ivan Garcia (MEX) claimed third spot.

MEDALLISTS IN FORT LAUDERDALE (USA)
Men
3m springboard: 1. Christopher Colwill (USA) 475.30; 2. Li Shixin (CHN) 474.95; 3. Alejandro D. Islas Arroyo (MEX) 445.50
10m platform: 1. Luxin Zhou (CHN) 518.75; 2. Thomas Finchum (USA) 509.25; 3. Ivan Garcia (MEX) 445.15
3m springboard synchro: 1. Huang Qiang/Bryan Nickson (MAS) 415.20; 2. Troy Dumais/Kristian Ipsen (USA) 376.86; 3. Luiz F. Outerelo/Ian C. Matos (BRA) 350.01
10m platform synchro: 1. Liang Huo/Chen Aisen (CHN) 442.29; 2. Ivan Garcia/Saul Sanchez (MEX) 439.32; 3. Ryan Hawkins/Logan Shinholser (USA) 379.53

Women
3m springboard: 1. Wang Han (CHN) 377.40; 2. Arantxa Chavez (MEX) 332.25; 3. Christina Loukas (USA) 325.70
10m platform: 1. Si Yajie (CHN) 417.40; 2. Huixia Liu (CHN) 372.45; 3. Brittany Broben (AUS) 360.40
3m springboard synchro: 1. Wang Han/Zheng Qulin (CHN) 309.90; 2. Kelci Bryant/Abby Johnston (USA) 302.10; 3. Anabelle Smith/Sharleen Stratton (AUS) 301.20
10m platform synchro: 1. Huixia Liu/Zhu Jiaming (CHN) 319.02; 2. Meaghan Benfeito/Roseline Filion (CAN) 304.92; 3. Amy Cozad/Laura Ryan (USA) 294.75

Full FINA Diving Grand Prix 2012 calendar:
 
No1: Rostock (GER), February 10-12
No2: Montreal (CAN), May 3-6
No3: Fort Lauderdale (USA), May 10-13
No4: St Petersburg (RUS), June 8-10
No5: Madrid (ESP), June 15-17
No6: Bolzano (ITA) from June 22-24

In the women’s European preliminaries, Germany and Italy finished 1-2 in Group A with a respective total of 11 and ten points while Russia and Greece, 15 points each, easily secured the two Super Final tickets at stake in Group B.

The eight national teams qualified for the ninth edition of the women’s Super Final in Changshu (CHN), organised from May 29 to June 3, are: Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Greece, Italy, Russia and defending champion USA.

Among men, the last two teams in the Super Final race were settled in Tustin (USA) with USA and Brazil securing the precious spot. USA topped the rankings with 12 points, and Brazil followed with six points.

Brazil and USA will join the national squads of Australia, China, Croatia, Italy, Kazakhstan (as host) and Spain for the 12th Super Final to take place in Almaty (KAZ) from June 12-17.

Find all game and schedule info for both Super Finals here: Women's Programme & Men's Programme.

Final rankings Europe (women):
Group A: GER, 11 pts (4 wins, 2 losses); 2. ITA, 10 (3W, 3L); 3. HUN, 10 (3W, 3L); 4. ESP, 5 (2W, 4L)
Group B: 1. RUS, 15 pts (5 wins, 1 loss); 2. GRE, 15 (5W, 1L); 3. NED, 6 (2W, 4L); 4. GBR, 0 (6L)

- detailed Women's rankings

Final rankings Americas (men):
1. USA, 12 pts (4 wins); 2. BRA, 6 (2W, 2L); 3. CAN, 0 (4L)

- detailed Men's rankings

In the women's field, world number 2 China and 2011 World League bronze-medallist Australia finished 1-2 of the rankings, totalling three victories and one loss. China imposed a harsh 14-4 defeat to Australia in Shanghai. In Chiba, the Australians took revenge, winning in a tight 11-10 over their strong Chinese rival. In the last game, Australia crushed the home squad 18-2.

Australia and China join USA and Canada, whose squads have also qualified for the women's Super Final taking place in Changshu (CHN) from May 29 to June 3.The four remaining teams to take part will be decided at the end of the European preliminaries, starting today in Siracusa (ITA) and Volos (GRE).

Australia was the easy winner of the men’s competition, remaining unbeaten in all six games. Runner-up China totalled 9 points and benefiting from a greater match point difference, ousts Japan (9 points as well) and secures a Super Final spot. In the last game, the home squad comfortably edged Kazakhstan 10-3.

Australia, China and Kazakhstan (as host) will join European qualifiers Croatia, Italy and Spain in the men's Super Final scheduled in Almaty (KAZ) from June 12-17. The remaining two teams will qualify from the Americas preliminaries, taking place in Tustin (USA) from May 10-13.

Final rankings Asia/Oceania (women):
1. CHN, 9 pts (3 wins, 1 loss); 2. AUS, 9 (3W, 1L); 3. JPN, 0 (4L)

Final rankings Asia/Oceania (men):
1. AUS, 18 pts (6 wins); 2. CHN, 9 (3W, 3L); 3. JPN, 9 (3W, 3L); 4. KAZ, 0 (6L)

Other nations to produce fine performances in Montreal were Australia, Cuba, Mexico, Malaysia, Sweden, China and Spain.

Australia’s rising talent Ethan Warren remained unchallenged in the men’s 3m springboard, totalling 511.75 points. Andres Villarreal from Mexico captured gold in the men’s 10m platform, scoring 512 points, ahead of Cubans Jose Guerra and Jenkler Aguirre, second and third, respectively. The two paired for the win in the synchro same event while Malaysian duo Huang Qiang/Bryan Nickson were the happy winners in the 3m springboard synchro.

The still-competitive Anna Lindberg (SWE) took out the women’s 3m springboard, totalling 344.40. Pamela Ware (CAN) and Sharleen Stratton (AUS) finished second and third, respectively. Malaysia’s hopeful Pandelela Rinong (MAS) finished on top in the women’s 10m platform, followed by Roseline Filion (CAN) and Melissa Wu (AUS), claiming second and third spots, respectively. The only podium for China was a third-place finish in the women’s 3m springboard synchro.

MEDALLISTS IN MONTREAL (CAN)
Men
3m springboard: 1. Ethan Warren (AUS) 511.75; 2. Alexandre Despatie (CAN) 497.20; 3. Javier Illana (ESP) 482.60
10m platform: 1. Andres Villarreal (MEX) 512.00; 2. Jose Guerra (CUB) 510.30; 3. Jenkler Aguirre (CUB) 480.50
3m springboard synchro: 1. Huang Qiang/Bryan Nickson (MAS) 431.10; 2. Reuben Ross/Alexandre Despatie (CAN) 419.58; 3. Rommel Pacheco/Jonathan Rovalcaba (MEX) 388.71
10m platform synchro: 1. Jose Guerra/Jenkler Aguirre (CUB) 453.36; 2. Jesper Tolvers/Christofer Eskilsson (SWE) 381.33; 3. Jahir Ocampo/Jonathan Rovalcaba (MEX) 379.62

Women
3m springboard: 1. Anna Lindberg (SWE) 344.40; 2. Pamela Ware (CAN) 333.75; 3. Sharleen Stratton (AUS) 328.95
10m platform: 1. Pandelela Rinong (MAS) 379.70; 2. Roseline Filion (CAN) 363.85; 3. Melissa Wu (AUS) 360.25
3m springboard synchro: 1. Jennifer Abel/Emilie Heymans (CAN) 323.40; 2. Anabelle Smith/Sharleen Stratton (AUS) 318.60; 3. Li Kang/Yi Sheng (CHN) 299.91
10m platform synchro: 1. Meaghan Benfeito/Roseline Filion (CAN) 327.96; 2. Pamela Ware/Carol-Ann Ware (CAN) 326.28; 3. Loudy Wiggins/Rachel Bugg (AUS) 316.86

Full FINA Diving Grand Prix 2012 calendar:
 
No1: Rostock (GER), February 10-12
No2: Montreal (CAN), May 3-6
NEXT RACE - No3: Fort Lauderdale (USA), May 10-13
No4: St Petersburg (RUS), June 8-10
No5: Madrid (ESP), June 15-17
No6: Bolzano (ITA) from June 22-24

GROUP B
1. Hungary
2. Montenegro
3. Romania
4. Great Britain
5. United States of America
6. Serbia


Women

GROUP A
1. Hungary
2. Spain
3. PR China
4. United Stats of America

GROUP B
1. Italy
2. Great Britain
3. Russia
4. Australia

The complete schedule of games can be found here

With the theme 'Aquatics for All: Developing and Performing for Excellence', the 2012 Convention will provide the Aquatic community with a platform to progress each of the five disciplines by sharing knowledge, exchanging ideas, broadening networks, strengthening relationships and creating business opportunities.

The conference programme will focus on two key themes including the challenges related to the development of Sport for All, and secondly the assessment of winning strategies adopted by elite competitors.

Many sub-themes will be discussed in Moscow, including how new thinking in aquatic venue design and operations can assist, what are the different methods of (public and private) financing sports programmes, the importance of education and the role of new technologies and new media. The conference will also discuss how the FINA Development Programmes for the 202 National Member Federations, swimming scholarships, the importance of our champions as role models and the need for multidisciplinary teams contribute to both Sport for All and elite performance.

'As with the first edition in 2010, many important topics will unite delegates, lecturers and partners in Moscow. The FINA World Aquatics Convention is a unique occasion to evaluate the development of our Aquatic sports in the five continents, and to discuss ways to progress our sports. Despite being recent, the Convention has generated a lot of interest within the FINA Family and is already a milestone in our calendar,' considered FINA President Dr. Julio C. Maglione.

The 2nd FINA World Aquatics Convention provides a unique opportunity to meet leading figures from across the world of aquatics, whilst facilitating important face to face discussions that will ultimately accelerate the growth and development of aquatic sports.

For further information visit the Official Website.

In a quite emotive race, attracting also many of the participants in the 10km circuit, Brian Riyckeman (BEL, sixth in the shorter race) finished second in a time of 2h59m55s83. He was followed by Lurz’ compatriot Andreas Waschburger, who got the bronze in 2h59m57s41. Less than three seconds separated the winner of the 15km race from the fifth ranked swimmer. The dominators of the first two legs of the Grand Prix season, Julien Sauvage and Joanes Hedel, both from France, did not race in Cancun.

In the women’s field, Germany also claimed two of the three medals at stake, thanks to the silver of veteran Angela Maurer (3h13m14s54) and the bronze of Nadine Reichert (3h15m45s56). The winner of the race was Jana Pechanova, from Czech Republic, touching first in 3h13m14s21. For these three athletes, Maurer had also been silver medallist in the 10km in Cancun two days earlier, while Reichert was fifth and Pechanova seventh. It was however their first successes in the Grand Prix circuit.

Thomas Lurz finishing in 2h59m55s51 - credit: Christian Palma

FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix 2012 calendar:
Race 1: January 22 in Rosario (ARG, 15km)
Race 2: January 29 in Santa Fe-Coronda (ARG, 57km)
Race 3: April 26 in Cancun (MEX, 15km)
NEXT RACE: June 17 in Capri-Napoli (ITA, 36km)
Race 5: July 28 in Lac St-Jean (CAN, 32km)
Race 6: August 4 in Lac Magog (CAN, 34km)
Race 7: August 5 in Sabac (SRB, 19km)
Race 8: August 11 in Ohrid Lake (MKD, 33km)

Among the men’s tough competitive field, “sprint” (5km) distance ace Thomas Lurz (GER) won the race in a time of 1h57m16s51. The 2011 World Cup winner faced pressure at the finish from reigning 10km World champion Spyridon Gianniotis (GRE), who touched home four hundredths of a second later, at 2h57m16s55. The Greek was closely followed by Nicola Bolzonello (ITA, second in Santos), who finished third in 2h57m16s56. Olympic champion in the 1500m freestyle Oussama Mellouli (TUN) made his first appearance in a FINA-sanctioned open water event, taking 11th.

The women’s race also featured an experienced field of open water swimmers with 25km World champion Ana Marcela Cunha (BRA, third in Santos and first in Eilat) taking out the event in 2h09m14s78. Consistent performer Angela Maurer (GER, second in Santos and Eilat) powered home to take second in a time of 2h09m16s22 while Martina Grimaldi (ITA, first in Santos and third in Eilat) claimed third spot, clocking 2h09m19s04.

Women's race - credit: Christian Palma

FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup 2012 calendar:

Race 1: January 29 in Santos (BRA)
Race 2: February 4 in Viedma (ARG)
Race 3: April 1 in Eilat (ISR)
Race 4: April 24 in Cancun (MEX)
NEXT RACE: July 26 in Lac St-Jean (CAN)
Race 6: August 11 in Lac Megantic (CAN)
Race 7: October 7 in Hong Kong (HKG)
Race 8: October 14 in Shantou (CHN)

Check out all results