Olga Kozydub of Russia and Gabriel Villagoiz of Argentina are leading the pack at the 57 km Maratón Acuática Internacional Santa Fe – Coronda down the Rio Negro in the early stages of the race.
Everyone is feeling good right now, but that will change over the course of the 8-10 hour race.
On the men’s side, Gabriel Villagoiz (ARG) is leading Tsuetan Yordanov (BUL), Damián Blaum (ARG), Luciano Sales Rubio (ARG), Martín Carrizo (ARG), and Tiago Sato (BRA). On the women’s side, Olga Kozydub (RUS) is leading Esther Nuñez (ESP), Silvie Rybarova (CZE) Pilar Geijo (ARG), Antonella Bogarìn (ARG), Vanesa Garcia (ARG), Noelia Petti (ARG), Lexie Kelly (USA) and Karla Sitic (CRO).
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.