The Peninsula
The FINA/HOSA Marathon Swim World Series Doha (QAT) 2019 is set to be held next month, with leading long-distance swimmers from around the globe gearing up to return for the 10km race in the turquoise waters of Doha’s picturesque Corniche on February 16.
Doha will be the first city to host the FINA/HOSA Marathon Swim World Series 2019, involving a total of 8 stops, followed by cities with some of the world’s most scenic waterways. This includes Seychelles (SEY), Setubal (POR), Balatonfured (HUN), Lac St. Jean (CAN), Lac Megantic (CAN), Ohrid (Macedonia) and Chun’An (CHN).
A day before the highly-anticipated event, Qatar Swimming Association (QSA) will also organise the Doha Open Water Challenge in the Corniche waters, which turned out to be a huge success last year.
The FINA/HOSA Marathon Swim World Series Doha (QAT) 2019 is receiving a massive response from swimmers from all over the world, and with over a week left in the deadline to confirm participation, over 100 swimmers including top names from several countries have already signed up for the first meet.
Top swimmers who have confirmed their participation include 2016 Rio Olympic gold medalist in the 10 km Open Water Marathon, Sharon Van Rouwendaal (NED), who also won in Doha last year.
Van Rouwendaal will compete alongside the 2015 and 2016 champion in the series, and a Rio Olympic Silver Medalist Rachele Bruni (ITA). Italian swimmer Arianna Bridi, the 2018 European Aquatics Championships Gold Medalist in the 25 km open water, will also be competing in the race.
In the men’s field, overall winner in 2016 and in the following year, Simone Ruffini (ITA) has confirmed his participation along with Gregorio Paltrinieri, who has several world and European records. Kazan 2015 gold medalist, Jordan Matthew Wilimovsky (USA) will also be seen in action.
Ana Marcela Cunha (BRA) and Ferry Weertman (NED) – the 2018 overall winners, are also expected to feature in the series-opening race. Weertman clinched the men’s title in FINA/HOSA Marathon Swim World Series Doha (QAT) 2018.
Doha Open Water Challenge on February 15
The Doha Open Water Challenge, which will take place on February 15, is open to everyone over the age of 11 years old.
The registration has already started and it is receiving an overwhelming response from the Qatari residents. The participants will be able to swim the same course in which the Olympic and World stars will compete in.
The Qatari athletes will also be able to enjoy the unique experience as they will be using the same facilities and full services as the elite athletes, allowing everyone to be a world-class athlete for the day.
The Open Water Challenge consists of three age group categories and different distances.