Courtesy: LEN Media
Russian swimmers dominated the first leg of the LEN Open Water Cup in Eilat, they clinched four medals including both golds. European champion Kirill Abrosimov came first among the men and Valeriia Ermakova claimed the women’s title.
LEN Open Water Cup, Leg 1, Eilat (ISR) – medallists
Men: 1. Kirill Abrosimov (RUS) 1:52:09.31, 2. Denis Adeev (RUS) 1:52:18.16, 3. Matan Roditi (ISR) 01:52:19.16
Women: 1. Valeriia Ermakova (RUS) 2:03:03.46, 2. Andre Angelica (POR) 2:03:08.11, 3. Mariia Novikova (RUS) 2:03:09.16
Despite all the concerns paralysing the world of sport today, almost 80 swimmers lined up for the start at the shores of Eilat to contest the first 10km races of the European season. Altogether 45 men and 30 women hit the waves in the Red Sea.
In the men’s event Russia’s European champion and multiple world champ medallist Kirill Abrosimov was clearly a cut above the rest and built a massive lead to win with a 10-second gap. The tussle for the second place was much tighter, only a single second separated Russian Denis Adeev and Matan Roditi. The latter one still gave the hosts something to cheer for as he clinched the bronze, a long awaited feat from a local swimmer in this traditional season opener.
The women’s race offered a similar pattern, Valeriia Ermakova came home with a 5-sec advantage ahead of Portugal’s Angelica Andre who just out- touched Russia’s Mariia Novikova for the silver medal.
With the European Championships coming in May, the Open Water Cup will return in early July in Barcelona.
LEN Open Water Cup 2020
Leg 1 – Eilat (ISR), 8 March
Leg 2 – Barcelona (ESP), 4 July
Leg 3 – Istanbul (TUR), 23 August
Leg 4 – Copenhagen (DEN), 29 August
Leg 5 – Paris-La Vilette (FRA), 5 September Leg 6 – Piombino (ITA), 18 September
