2018 FINA Marathon Swim World Series continue this Saturday 9 June with the celebration of the third leg in Setubal (Portugal), after previous stops in Doha and Seychelles.
Some of the best experts in the open water discipline worldwide will bring together in a beautiful city that has already held two Olympic Qualifying events.
Setubal is considered by local people as the "sanctuary" of the open water in Portugal and one of the most beautiful bays in the world.
Crystalline and challenging waters await the "Open Water Heroes". That is how a big board welcomes the international competitors at the entrance of the venue.
Olympic champion Sharon van Rouwendaal (Netherlands), Rachelle Brune (Italy), Marcela Cunha (Brazil), Ferry Weertman (Netherlands) or Simone Ruffini (Italy) are some of the swimmers that will participate in the first FINA event on wetsuits.
Expected water temperature is between 16 and 18 Celsius degrees.
The event will be developed in a course of 10 kilometers in the riverside arch of the Urban Park of Albarquel. The Setubal Bay, which is protected by the Serra da Arrábida, will held a circuit of 1.660 meters. The swimmers will give six laps, for a total of 10 kilometers.
Ninety swimmers (53 men and 37 women) from 24 different nationalities will compete for medals this Saturday on the FINA/HOSA Open Water World Series in Setubal (Portugal).
Ferry Weertman (Netherlands) and Simone Ruffini (Italy), winners of the male events in Doha and Seychelles, respectively, will try to capture a second gold. British Jack Burnell and German Rob Muffels are also candidates to win.
Sharon van Rouwendaal (Netherlands), Arianna Bridi and Martina de Memme (Italy), Marcela Cunha (Brazil), Leonie Beck and Finnia Wunram (Germany) will fight for the victory on the female event.
- Official schedule:
16:00 - Start of men's event
16:10 - Start of women's event