FINA Artistic Swimming World Series, Madrid, Day 1: Spain and Switzerland capture gold medals

The sixth leg of FINA Artistic Swimming World Series began on Friday, May 25 at Madrid (Spain) with golds for Spain at the Team Technical routine and Vivienne Koch, of Switzerland, at the Solo Technical routine.

 

Spain emerged victorious in Team Technical routine earning 88,1682 points with Paula Ramirez, Sara Saldaña, Carmen Juarez, Blanca Toledano, Leyre Abadia, Meritxell Mas, Elena Melian and Berta Ferreras.

 

The young Spanish team is working with the ambition "of beating the ninety point barrier", said Mayuko Fujiki.

 

"I think that it is possible with this technical routine, which is difficult and also requires a high speed of execution", said the head coach of Spain about the perfomance the team did under the "funny and happy" theme Namaste.

 

Kazakhstan placed second with 76,7253 points and Austria completed the podium with a final score of 76,5721.

 

"We had a little problem today, we did a little bit wrong. We have to keep working more and more, as we are doing, in order to improve our results", said Baitmutzina Nailya (KAZ).

 

Elizaveta Filatkina (AUT) said she was happy with the third place that Austria took in the capital of Spain.

 

"We could have done it better, it was not our best performance, but in general I am happy because this group is very good. It is a pleasure working with all of them. When I came in Austria it was not normal being in the position we are now. In two years we made a big progress", said.

 

 

 

The first competition day of the sixth leg of the FINA Artistic Swimming World Series continued with Solo Technical Final, with Vivienne Koch, of Switzerland, as a winner. She scored 76.0091.

 

"At World Championships I had like 80, but it is difficult to compare because new elements are more difficult. I can do it better", said Vivienne Koch.

 

Hungarian Szofi Kiss scored 75.2077 this Saturday to claim silver.

 

"I wanted to win, but the silver medal is good. It is my best result this season. It means a lot, it is a really special thing for me", said Szofi Kiss.

 

Specially excited was Polish Swietlana Szczepanska after capturing her first medal in an international event.

 

"I am very happy with my improvement over the years. Recently we started competing at the World Series. It is totally different kind of stress on this competition because it is bigger. I felt wonderful standing between the representatives of the countries that I have been looking up since I was young. I am really proud. This medal is really important for my country", said.

 

This sixth meet of the Artistic Swimming World Series will run until Sunday May 27.

 

Saturday's action includes Duet Technical routine final, Mixed Duet Technical routine final, Free Combination Final, Free Solo routine final and Team Free routine final.

 

1. Vivienne Koch (SWI) 76.0091

2. Szofi Kiss (HUN) 75.2077

3. Swietlana Szczepanska (POL) 66.0431

 

1. Spain 88.1682

2. Kazakhstan 76.7253

3. Austria 76.5721