On Saturday, February 9, the second race of the 2008 series of the 2nd FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix (former FINA Marathon Swimming World Cup), also called the 14th “Maraton Acuatico Internacional Ciudad de Rosario” (a 15 km event) was held in Argentina. Confirming their first success of 2008 (one week earlier in Santa Fe), winners were the Russian Natalia Pankina, in the women’s race, and the Bulgarian Petar Stoychev, in the men’s event.


Four men finished together: Stoychev in front of Stéphane Gomez (FRA) and Damian Blaum (ARG). Therefore, the podium was the same as in the first race of the 2008 season, with Rodolfo Valenti (ITA) finishing in fourth.   
In the women’s race, the Russian Natalia Pankina crossed the finish line five minutes before a group of five swimmers, including the winner of the 2007 edition Esther Nuñez (ESP), three Italians (Alessandra Romiti, Camilla Frediani, 3rd and 4th, and Laura La Piana, 6th) and one Argentinean, Pilar Geijo (5th).

Medallists in Maraton Acuatico “Ciudad de Rosario”

Men – 1. Petar Stoychev (BUL) 2h09m27s; 2. Stéphane Gomez (FRA) 2h09m28s05; 3. Damian Blaum (ARG) 2h09m28s82.
Women – 1. Natalia Pankina (RUS) 2h11m38s; 2. Esther Nuñez (ESP) 2h16m23s; 3. Alessandra Romiti (ITA) 2h17m35s.

General Standings after 2 Races

Men -  1. Petar Stoychev (BUL) 30 pts; 2. Stéphane Gomez (FRA) 22 pts; 3. Damian Blaum (ARG) 18 pts
Women - 1. Natalia Pankina (RUS) 30 pts; 2. Esther Nunez (ESP) 18 pts; 3. Alessandra Romiti (ITA) and Laura La Piana (ITA) 14 pts