A strong contingent of Team USA swimmers will be charging the waters in Santos Brazil this weekend for the first FINA 10K open water world cup. The women will be led by 2012 double national champion Ashley Twichell. But the field runs deep with USA talent and includes Eva Fabian, Emily Brunemann, Christine Jennings, and Heidi George. Although talented this squad will match up against the some of the world’s best, including 2012 Olympic gold medalist Eva Risztov and bronze medalist Martina Grimaldi. One group to keep an eye on will be the home country led by 2012 Olympian Poliana Okimoto. Additional standouts include 2012 Olympians Angela Maurer (GER), Olga Beresnyeva (Ukraine), Lizeth Rueda (Mexic0).
On the men’s side Olympian Alex Meyer will headline the USA team. Meyer has been doing some training and competing in the southern hemisphere and recently raced at the BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series in Perth. Other USA standouts include 2012 5K national champion David Heron and Joey Pedraza of the Davie Nadadores. Of course all eyes will be on 2012 silver medalist Thomas Lurz. Other top competitors include 2012 Olympians, Daniel Fogg , Sergey Bolshakov and Andreas Wachburger.
You can see the complete start list here. We’ll be following the results here this weekend.
