FINA 2009 World Championships
Open Water events from 21 to 25 July 2009
FINA 2009 World Championships Open Water Swimming Day 3
25km events - Ostia, Rome
Angela Maurer (GER) added another 25km gold to her FINA World Championship collection winning the 25km at Ostia Beach. She now has eight medals from various FINA Championships - 4 bronze, 2 silver, and 2 gold. Maurer touched home in 5h 47m 48s, with silver medallist Anna Uvarova (RUS) finishing in 5h 47m 51s, and Federica Vitale (ITA) taking bronze in 5h 47m 52s.
Maurer explained: "My goal in Rome was a medal and I got gold," noting that "with waves it is important to swim in the lead", and that although she likes the heat and the waves "today there was a little too much".
FINA 2009 World Championships Open Water Swimming Day 2
10km events - Ostia, Rome
Olympic medallist Keri-Anne Payne dominated the World Championship 10km open water event in Rome to give the British Gas Team a second gold medal in as many days. It was clear from the outset the Stockport ITC/Metro swimmer wanted to go one better than the silver medal she won in Beijing last year and with a strong performance ensured the gold medal in a time 2hrs 1min and 37secs.
Payne led from start to finish over a sea course off the beach resort of Ostia that sweltered amid temperatures of over 30C. Despite the heat, Payne controlled the race throughout and when finally challenged for position, while coming around the final buoy for the finish, she simply kicked for home to deny the threat.
FINA 2009 World Championships Open Water Swimming Day 1
5km events 21 July 2009 - Ostia Beach in Rome
British Gas swimmers found the going tough at the World Championship open water events as the sun beat down on the 5km course off the Italian coast.
Richard Charlesworth finished in 24th place in a race won by Thomas Lurz (GER) who successfully defended his world title from the Melbourne Championships of 2007 to add to his 5km titles from 2005 (Montreal), 2006 (Naples), 2007, and 2008 (Seville). Lurz finished in 56:26.9 ahead of Spyridon Gianniotis (GRE) in 56:27.2. The bronze medal went to Chad Ho (RSA) who clocked 56:41.9.
Speaking after the race, Lurz said: "Over past years I have gained a lot of experience and this helps me to keep my will and anger to win again and again." Gianniotis, who won bronze in the 5km in Melbourne, had not thought he was fit enough to medal. "This guy,” he said referring to Lurz, "is phenomenal. He is the best in the world in open water. Before, I could only imagine being this close to him."