DOHA (Qatar): Leonie Beck (GER) and Marc-Antoine Olivier (FRA) won the women and men’s titles respectively after thrilling races in the season- opening FINA /CNSG Marathon Swim World Series at Katara Beach on Saturday.
Both the 10km races were exciting with Beck clinching her first major gold medal with a time of 1:56’41.1 in the women’s race, which went down to wires. Olivier clocked an impressive 1:49’46.6 to top the men’s race.
“The races were very exciting and we are happy to start the FINA Marathon series in a thrilling fashion,” said Qatar Swimming Association (QSA) President Khaleel Al Jaber. “Fields for both the races were very strong in presence of many Olympic and world champions. We now wish all the athletes the best in this important Olympic year.”
In the women’s race that started at 11am, Germany’s Beck shocked many top-ranked athletes to win her first title in FINA Marathon. She outpaced last year’s Doha winner Ana Marcela Cunha (BRA) – winner of multiple major FINA events, and reigning Olympic champion Sharon van Rouwendaal (NED) by just 0.2sec.
Cunha secured silver medal after she was shown slightly ahead of Sharon – who took bronze – on camera.
Beck’s best show came in the final lap of 2km after Sharon dominated most par of the grueling 5-lap race.
“I am very happy, this is my first international title,” said Beck. “My target was to finish among the top three or four swimmers and I am surprised to win the race. In the final lap I didn’t know what was happening as I was only focusing to finish the race fast.”
Former European champion Arianna Bridi (ITA) was fourth in the race with a time of 1:56’42.4, while Olympic silver medalist Haley Anderson (USA) finished fifth, clocking 1:56’42.9.
2019 overall champion of this FINA series, Rachele Bruni (ITA) 1:56’43.9 came in sixth position.
All the 53 swimmers finished the women’s race.
Meanwhile, in the men’s race that started at 1:30pm, the 24-year-old Olivier, who won bronze medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016, was outstanding as he registered the commending win with a margin of 12.6sec.
“I am very happy to win the first race of the season like this,” said Olivier.
