Like all the events at the USA Swimming Olympic Trials, this Friday’s USA Swimming National 10K Open Water Swimming Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Florida will be a bloodbath. Tears will undoubtedly be shed.

Tears of joy and tears of disappointment.

The top two finishers in the 10K race will be selected to represent their country at the 2011 World Swimming Championships and an opportunity to qualify for the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim at the 2012 London Olympics.

The rest will be left home. It is a cruel ending to years of sacrifice and training.

On the women’s side of the 10K race, Christine Jennings (shown above), Emily Brunemann, Eva Fabian and others will race undoubtedly never more than a few meters apart throughout the entire two-hour race. While Eva has a tendency to take it out face with Emily closely behind, Christine plays her cards close to her chest and is always ready to pounce at the right time. But with so much at stake, it will be interesting to see if the top women stick to their previous race plans or change it up a bit with so much riding in the warm waters of Fort Lauderdale. With few turns and ample straightaways, aerobic endurance will play a major factor with navigational IQ and closing speed also keys to qualifying for the world championship team.

On the men’s side, 2008 Olympian Mark Warkentin will face Andrew Gemmell, Alex Meyer, Chip Peterson, Andrew Fraley and others. While everyone has a favorite and Andrew is looking especially strong, you just never know on race day.

The exciting races will be covered by a live webcast here.

Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source