Russians start favourites for 25km races today

The Russian swimmers will be all out to repair the damage over the next two days in the 25km races for men and women at the 3rd FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships.

After dominating the 5km race last week, Russian swimmers had to settle for positions lower down in the 10km races in both the men’s and women’s categories last Monday.

The Russian pairing of Danill Serebrennikov and Evgueni Kochkarov finished third and fourth in the men’s race, while Ekaterina Seliverstova had to settle for fourth in the women’s competition.

“This setback gives us even more reason to fight back in the 25km races,” the Russian coach, Vladimir Zakharov, told Gulf News.

Today will be the women’s 25km race, while the men’s 25km competition will be held tomorrow at the Dubai Creek.

The Russian challenge in the women’s competition will be led by Natalia Pankina and Olesya Shalygina. “Both our girls are strong and they should be able to be among the medals,” Zakharov stated.

However, they can expect some tough competition from none other than Monday’s winner in the 10km race and European Champion, Britta Kamrau.“I am looking forward to the 25km race,” Kamrau said.

“Now that I’ve won a race, I am all charged up for the next one. And the longer the distance, the better it is,” the German added.

The men’s race will have one of the strongest contenders for the title, Russia’s four-time world champion, Yuri Kudinov. “We do not expect anything less than the gold from Yuri,” coach Zakharov said.

Kudinov has been a strong subject of medal speculation as he aims for his fifth world crown in the 25km race.

“He will show his class once he is in the water on Thursday,” Zakharov said. Joining Kudinov will be teammate Evgueni Koch-karov.

There will be a 1km ‘Masters Swim’ for the public before tomorrow’s 25km race for men. Registration will start at 7.30am and the race will be at 8am on championship course.