On Saturday, February 16, during the Argentinean race at La Patagones-Viedma, a 15km event and the third race of the 2008 series of the 2nd FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix (former FINA Marathon Swimming World Cup), the Russian Natalia Pankina, in the women’s race, and the Bulgarian Petar Stoychev, in the men’s event, obtained their third 2008 victory, which is also the third in a row for the current Grand Prix Series.

Medallists in Viedma
Men – 1. Petar Stoychev (BUL) 2h42m19s; 2. Andrea Volpini (ITA) 2h42m28s27; 3. Rodolfo Valenti (ITA) 2h42m28s59
Women – 1. Natalia Pankina (RUS) 2h44m22s; 2. Annegret Braun (GER) 2h46m35s; 3. Marianela Mendoza (ARG) 3h00m36s

GENERAL STANDING AFTER THREE RACES
WOMEN
1. Natalia Pankina (RUS) 45 pts; 2. Esther Nunez (ESP) 18 pts; 3. Alessandra Romiti (ITA) and Laura La Piana (ITA) 14 pts
MEN
1. Petar Stoychev (BUL) 45 pts; 2. Damian Blaum (ARG) et Stéphane Gomez (FRA) 25 pts

THE 2008 FINA OPEN WATER SWIMMING GRAND PRIX (GP) in few lines
Dates & Sites
(1) Race GP No 1 - February 3, 2008 - Maraton Acuatica Rio Coronda in Santa Fe (ARG), 57km
(2) Race GP No 2 - February 9, 2008 - Rosario (ARG), 15km
(3) Race GP No 3 - February 16, 2008 - Viedma (ARG), 15km
(4) Race GP No 4 - July 6, 2008 - Marathon del Golfo Capri-Napoli (ITA), 36km
(5) Race GP No 5 - July 13, 2008 - Sabac Swim Marathon (SRB), 19 km
(6) Race GP No 6 - July 19, 2008- Ohrid Lake Swim Marathon (MKD), 30km
(7) Race GP No 7 - July 26, 2008 - Traversée Internationale du Lac St. Jean, Roberval (CAN), 32km
(8) Race GP No 8 - August 2, 2008 - Traversée Internationale du Lac Magog (CAN), 34km
(9) Race GP No 9 – September 28, 2008 - XVII Sumidero Canyon Swimming Marathon in Chiapas (MEX), 15km

2008 MEN’S PODIUMS
(1) 1. Petar Stoychev (BUL); 2. Stéphane Gomez (FRA); 3. Damian Blaum (ARG)
(2) 1. Petar Stoychev (BUL); 2. Stéphane Gomez (FRA); 3. Damian Blaum (ARG)
(3) 1. Petar Stoychev (BUL); 2. Andrea Volpini (ITA); 3. Rodolfo Valenti (ITA)
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2008 WOMEN’S PODIUMS
(1) 1. Natalia Pankina (RUS); 2. Edith Van Dijk (NED); 3. Laura La Piana (ITA)
(2) 1. Natalia Pankina (RUS); 2. Esther Nuñez (ESP); 3. Alessandra Romiti (ITA)
(3) 1. Natatlia Pankina (RUS); 2. Annegret Braun (GER); 3. Marianela Mendoza (ARG)
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