The Czech Open Water Swimming 2012 Championships took place in Lipno, the largest lake in Bohemia. It is the traditional venue of the Czech domestic championships since 1967.

Despite his relatively advanced age of 36, 2008 Olympian Rostislav Vitek won 20km title over other national team members Jan Pošmourný and Karel Baloun. Vitek won an unprecedented 13th victory in Czech Championships since 1998 over the longest distance (20 or 25km).

But it was not easy over the 17-race Czech Cup series that preceded the Czech Championships. However, in the most important of all races, the veteran came through by winning by two minutes over Posmourny.

In a blast from the past, another outstanding performance was unexpectedly shown by 43-years old Richard Kamas, the 25km Czechoslovak champion of years 1989, 1991 and 1992 who completed many professional marathons in USA, Canada and Italy in 1990s.

Vitek ensured his victory in the Czech Cup 2012 series with his victory in the 20km race. Over the course of 21 marathon swims, he dominated the Czech Cup again.

In the 5km time trial race, 20-year-old Jan Kutnik upset defending champion Jan Posmourny who captured the silver with the bronze going to Vitek. The open water swim also showcased Martin Verner, a 3-time Olympian in the 100m free, who stepped up big-time in distance, taking 7th place.

The results of the top ten in the 20km:

1. Rostislav Vitek 4:17:43
2. Jan Pošmourný 4:19:16
3. Baloun Karel 4:22:55
4. Kozubek Matěj 4:31:55
5. Mrůzek Michael 4:38:33
6. Mrůzek Michael 5:05:21
7. Kamas Richard 5:07:14
8. Procházka Martin 5:16:39
9. Bláha Michael 5:18:58
10. Černý Jakub 5:24:13

Top 10 in the 5K:

1. Ján Kútnik 53:03
2. Pošmourný Jan 53:52
3. Vítek Rostislav 54:12
4. Ingeduld Vít 54:18
5. Baloun Karel 54:20
6. Kozubek Matěj 57:24
7. Baumrt Ondřej 57:53
8. Verner Martin 58:32
9. Molinaro David 58:35
10. Bláha Michael 1:00:39

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