Haley Anderson of the USA (shown breathing on left) and Eva Risztov of Hungary just squeezed past their teammates to head the newest contingent of 2012 Olympians. In a tough-fought battle in a course that was either short or extremely fast Anderson won in 1:44:30.6, at least 15 minutes faster than the usual world-class 10K measured course.

But if the course were 12.5% shorter or not, it was a marathon race that was pressure-packed and came down to all-out sprints.

Details of the race will be forthcoming – including confirmation of which athletes officially Olympians. It was difficult for many fans around the world to log on and view the race. But preliminary results and qualifiers are listed below. Federations still need to accept the invitation, so it may take more time to clarify which of the athletes will compete in the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim in London.

In the closest mano-a-mano swim-off of the day, Jessica Roux of South Africa just touched-out 2008 Olympian Natalie du Toit 1:50:52.0 to 1:50:52.1.

For such a race of significant implications, it would have been nice to live stream the event with experienced multi-lingual commentators for the enjoyment and entertainment of the global open water swimming community. While a few countries around the world were able to see the Portuguese television feed, it is relatively inexpensive nowadays to live stream the event. Amateur races around the world do it all the time. It is high time that FINA utilize a relatively small amount of resources to bring the exploits of these athletes and excitement of races like this to a global audience.

The final results:

1. Haley Anderson (USA) 1:44:30.6 – 2012 Olympian
2. Eva Risztov (HUN) 1:44:32.0 – 2012 Olympian
3. Anna Olasz (HUN) 1:44:36.8
4.Ashley Twichell (USA) 1:44:37.7
5. Yanqiao Fang (CHN) 1:44:38.7 – 2012 Olympian
6. Zsofia Balazs (CAN) 1:44:38.8 – 2012 Olympian
7. Ophelie Aspord (FRA) 1:44:42.3 – 2012 Olympian
8. Natalia Charlos (POL) 1:44:42.4 – 2012 Olympian
9. Anna Guseva (RUS) 1:44:43.0 – 2012 Olympian
10. Karla Sitic (CRO) 1:44:45.5 – 2012 Olympian
11. Nadine Williams (CAN) 1:44:48.8
12. Wing Yung Natasha Terri Tang (HKG) 1:45:00.6 – 2012 Olympian
13. Yumi Kida (JPN) 1:45:03.7 – 2012 Olympian
14. Ekaterina Seliverstova (RUS) 1:45:04.3
15. Olga Beresnyeva (UKR) 1:45:05.8 – 2012 Olympian (continental qualifier)
16. Linsy Heister (NED) 1:45:06.0
17. Cara Baker (NZL) 1:45:06.1 – 2012 Olympian (continental qualifier)
18. Yanel Pinto (VEN) 1:45:09.5 – 2012 Olympian (continental qualifier)
19. Lizeth Rueda Santos (MEX) 1:46:06.6
20. Xue Li (CHN) 1:46:08.2
21. Zupan Teja (SLO) 1:46:46.4
22. Carla Díaz (VEN) 1:46:46.4
23. Maaike Waaijer (NED) 1:46:57.2
24. Coralie Codevelle (FRA) 1:47:14.5
25. Angélica André (POR) 1:47:22.7
26. Nataly Caldas Calle (ECU) 1:47:35.7
27. Inha Kotsur (AZE) 1:48:01.8
28. Heidi Gan (MAS) 1:48:17.0 – 2012 Olympian (continental qualifier)
29. Charlotte Webby (NZL) 1:49:42.2
30. Daniela Pinto (POR) 1:50:41.2
31. Jessica Roux (RSA) 1:50:52.0 – 2012 Olympian (continental qualifier)
32. Natalie du Toit (RSA) 1:50:52.1
33. Al’ona Berbasova (UKR) 1:51:11.0
34. Alexandra Philippa Panayides (CYP) 1:53:53.0
35. Ellen Olsson (SWE) 1:54:50.4
36. Fiona On-Yi Chan (HKG) 1:54:59.4
37. Laila El-Bassiouni (EGY) 1:56:57.1
38. Irene Kyza (CYP) 1:57:25.0
39. Omaima Moufid (MAR) 2:11:18.8
40. Alejandra Gonzalez Lara (MEX) – DNF
41. Rania El Abdi – DNS

Congratulations to all.



Post-race quotes from Anderson on Swimming World Magazine are posted here.

Photo of Haley Anderson courtesy of Mike Lewis.

Copyright © 2012 by Open Water Source