Ana Marcela Cunha and Marc-Antoine Olivier were the winners of the FINA/CNSG Marathon Swim World Series in Doha.
Taking place in the Qatari capital, the event was the first international marathon race for over a year with Cunha leading the way in the women’s race which got under way at 6am.
The Brazilian touched first in 2:01:30.30 ahead of Oceane Cassignol of France (2:01::30.80) and German swimmer Lea Boy (2:01:31.90).
Also competing were British pair Alice Dearing and Danielle Huskisson who came 12th and 29th respectively as they prepared for the Olympic qualifier in May.
Alice Dearing – Photo Courtesy: Chloe Knott/SWpix.com for SwimEngland
Dearing, who will become the first black female swimmer to represent Great Britain at an Olympics should she negotiate the qualifier in Fukuoka, said:
“I was really excited to be back racing after 13 months, which was here in Doha in 2020 and it was a really positive result.
“I’ve just spoken to my coach and we know what we need to work on already – I think I was going into the last lap in 26th place and ended up coming 12th – so we’re now looking to make sure I can swim further up and hopefully pick off the same amount of people.
“I’m really excited by that race and I think it shows everything is going to come together when I need it to and it’s a good confidence booster ahead of the qualification event in May, which I’m really excited to go to and hopefully qualify for the Olympics.”
Rio 2016 bronze medallist Olivier won the men’s race in 1:52:02.40 ahead of Kristof Rasovszky (1:52:05.50) and Olympic 1500 free champion Gregorio Paltrinieri (1:52:07.90).
Marc-Antoine Olivier Photo Courtesy: FINA/Doha 2020
A large pack came into the final lap before the pace was upped and the whittling down effect occurred.
Among the first finishers were Briton Hector Pardoe who came seventh, his best international result with team-mate Jack Burnell in 24th.
He said:
“That’s an awesome result! It was a really tough race, with frustrating conditions but I’m glad to get the job done and place in the top 10, winning some prize money as well!
“That gives me a lot of confidence, so it’s now back to training for another 11 weeks before the Olympic qualifier in Fukuoka.”
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