10KM MARATHON SWIMMING WORLD CUP 2013 Grimaldi (ITA) and Fogg (GBR) dominate race in Cozumel (MEX)

OPEN WATER INDONESIA - Martina Grimaldi (ITA) and Daniel Fogg (GBR) emerged victorious at the fourth stop of the FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup 2013, held for the first time in Cozumel, Mexico. The event had a record 128 participants (53 women and 75 men) from 24 countries, who swam in the crystal-clear waters of the Mexican Caribbean and enjoyed the naturally stunning scene.

The women's race was very close and featured a high level of competition. The top-five finishers arrived in a mass finish, within split seconds of one another, and only a photo finish decided which one of them was the winner.

Italy's Martina Grimaldi, Olympic bronze medallist at the 2012 London Games, took out the race in 2h09m39s2. Eva Fabian (USA) took second in 2h09m39s40 and Rachele Bruni (ITA) placed third with a time of 2h09m39s7.

It was another tight finish in the men's race and also an unexpected outcome. Cozumel featured swimmers demonstrating new strategies in open waters. Daniel Fogg (GBR) touched home for the win in 1h56m38s1. He was trailed by Thomas Lurz (GER), Olympic silver medallist, runner-up in 1h56m40s2. The minor medal went to Simone Ruffini (ITA), who clocked 1h56m41s7.

The excellent water quality and the natural beauty of the Mexican Caribbean were praised by the competitors.

The countries represented in Cozumel were: Germany, Australia, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Ecuador, Spain, United States, France, Britain, Netherlands, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Macedonia, Mexico, Czech Republic, Russia, Syria and Ukraine.

The event also qualified Mexican swimmers Melissa Villasenor and Miguel Hernandez for the FINA World Championships in Barcelona this summer.