Whilst current world champion Keri Anne Payne rested following her recent win at the world championships in Shanghai, it was Italy's Martina Grimaldi who took advantage of the Briton's absence to win the gold medal in Saturday's London 10km Marathon Swimming International at the Serpentine in Hyde Park.
Grimaldi, a world silver medallist stepped up one place on the medal podium to receive the gold. The Italian pipped the USA's Eva Fabian who took silver in a sprint finish, whilst Brazil's Poliana Okimoto secured the bronze medal. Fabian who finished 30th in the world championships in Shanghai surprised Brazil's Okimoto to take second. The Brazilian had finished sixth at the world championships.
Two young debutant British swimmers had a good outing in the senior field finishing in 16th and 18th place.
Lucy Charles, 17, and Rachael Williamson, 16, who won silver and bronze medals respectively at last month's European Junior Championships last month would have benefited from the experience of competing at the Serpentine. Charles from Hertfordshire, hopes to compete for Great Britain at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. Williamson from Kingston upon Hull, will compete on the senior circuit from 2012.
Women's 10k results:
1. Martina Grimaldi (ITA): 2:02:49.5
2. Eva Fabian (USA): 2:02.50.0 (+0.5 seconds behind winner)
3. Poliana Okimoto (BRA): 2:02:51.2 (+1.7sec)
4. Christine Jennings (USA) +1.9
5. Ana Marcela Cunha (BRA) +2.3
6. Melissa Gorman (AUS) +6.8
7. Jana Pechanova (CZE) +6.9
8. Yanqiao Fang (CHN) +11.9
9. Angela Maurer (GER) +12.7
10. Xue Li (CHN) +15.2
11. Wing Yung Natasha Tang (CHN)
12. Linsy Heister (NED)
13: Swann Oberson (SUI)
14. Kalliopi Araouzou (GRE)
15. Marianna Lymperta (GRE)
16. Lucy Charles (GBR)
17. Fiona On Yi Chan (HKG)
18. Rachael Williamson (GBR)
DNS: Ashley Twichell (USA)
Canada's Richard Weinberger won the men's race ahead of multiple world champion Thomas Lurz in a time of one hour 50 minutes 49.8 seconds. Lurz from Germany finished ahead of Spyros Gianniotis from Greece.
1. Richard Weinberger (CAN) - 1:50.49.8
2. Thomas Lurz (GER) - 1:51.16.0 - (+26.2secs behind winner)
3. Spyros Gianniotis (GRE) - 1:51.16.1; +26.3
4. Luca Ferretti (ITA) - 1:51.18.8; +29
5. Andreas Waschburger (GER) - 1:51.32.6; +42.8
6. Csaba Gercsak (HUN) - 1:51.43.7: +53.9
7. Alex Meyer (USA) - 1:52.19.5; 1:29.7
8 Ky Hurst (AUS) - 1:52.20.1; +1:30.3
9 Chris Bryan (IRL) - 1:52.24.5; +1:34.7
10. Yurly Kudinov (KAZ) - 1:52.29.0; +1:39.2
11. Antonis Fokaidis (GRE) - 1:53.16.1; +2:26.3
12. Zibin Zhang (CHN) - 1:53.21.1; +2:31.3
13. Julien Sauvage (FRA) - 1:57.17.5: +6:27.7
14. Arsenly Lavrentyev (POR) - 1:58.23.5; +7:33.7
15. Tin Yu Ling (HKG) - 2:07.45.8; +16:56.0
16. Marcus Yat Ho Yuen (HKG) - 2:08.17.0; +17:27.2
DNF: Samuel deBona (BRA) and Francisco Jose Hervas Jodar (ESP)
DNS: Sergey Bolshakov (RUS)
(JohnTierneyswim AT live DOT com)