Doha ready to stage first-ever Marathon Swim World Series

Doha: Olympic and world champions from around the globe will be seen in action battling for glory as Qatar is ready to stage first-ever FINA/Hosa Marathon Swim World Series at turquoise waters of Doha’s iconic Corniche tomorrow.

Doha, already a popular venue for FINA airweave World Cup Series, will open FINA/HOSA Marathon Swim World Series 2018, which features nine legs taking place in some of the world’s most scenic waterways, including the Seychelles, Portugal, Canada, Chinese Tapei, Hungary and China.

 “We are very happy to be hosting this major event and we welcome all the swimmers,” President of the Qatar Swimming Association (QSA) and FINA Bureau Member, Khaleel Al Jabir told a press conference at Corniche yesterday.

“It’s another  FINA event that we will be hosting till 2021 as we have signed four-year agreement with the FINA. Doha, which will also host 2023 FINA World Aquatics Championships, is a favourite venue for world’s best swimmers and we hope the athletes coming here will thoroughly enjoy their experience,” he added.

Honorary Secretary of the FINA Technical Open Water Committee Samuel Greethan hoped the event will be a huge success. “This is our first time in Doha and we hope it will be a jewel in FINA’s crown. We look forward to exciting races,” he said.

As many as 115 long-distance swimmers (43 women and 72 men) will take part in tomorrow’s races with scintillating battles on the cards in presence of top challengers in 10km battle.

The men’s competition will see Rio 2016 Olympic and 2017 World champion Ferry Weertman of the Netherlands starting as the strong favourite but he is expected to face stiff competition from Great Britain’s Jack Burnell, who finished just outside the medals in fourth place at last summer’s World Championships.

“I am very excited to be racing in Doha for the first time,” said Weertman.

“It will be a tough competition as world’s best athletes are competing. I like the conditions here in Doha as it is not very hot and I am looking forward to win the race,” he said.

 The women’s elite competition will also see an exciting showdown between open water marathon specialist Ana Marcela of Brazil, Rio 2016 Olympic champion, Sharon Van Rouwendaal of the Netherlands, 2017 World Series winner, Arianna Bridi and Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist, Rachele Bruni, both of Italy and 2017 World silver medallist Samantha Arevalo of Ecuador besides many other top swimmers.

“I am expecting a very tough race and I will give my best to win. I am happy to be competing here in Doha as the conditions look very good,” said Marcela.

 The event’s prize money is $30,000 while the overall prize money is $250,000. Both prizes are divided across the first 8th women and men swimmers, making a total prize money pursue of USD 550,000.

Meanwhile, residents of Qatar will get a unique experience today as tomorrow’s races are integrated with the Open Water Challenge, giving fans a chance to taste experience just like the top swimmers of the world.

The Open Water Challenge Race will start at 13:30 and is open to anyone over the age of 11 years old and will enable people of all abilities to swim the same course on Doha’s picturesque Corniche.

The contest consists of three categories available for the public: 400m for boys and girls aged 11-14, 800m for boys and girls aged 15-17, and 1,200m for boys and girls aged 18 and over.

The exclusive experience will also see public participants enjoy the same facilities and full services as the elite athletes, including the athlete pre-race call-room, the same starting platform, live athlete tracking and entering the post-race mixed zone, enabling everyone to be a world-class athlete for the day.

To top off the experience, the elite champions will be on hand during the event to cheer on the participants and provide tips, advice and insights into what it takes to be a champion.