Olympian Valerio Cleri just edged Chad Ho, Allan do Carmo and Trent Grimsey in the grid race at the 2011 King and Queen of the Sea extravaganza in Copacabana Beach in Brazil.
The 800m sprint was an all-out race from start to finish as Trent took it out fast and first. But Chad, Allan, Valerio and the rest of the 11-man field were on his heels. Coming around the last turn buoy with 100 meters to go, Trent took the inside track as four others swung wider. Within 50 meters to shore, five men had a line to victory.
But it was Cleari who just had a little more in the tank and stood up first before charging to the finish line.
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.