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Open Water vs. Pool Swimmers: A Lesson from Paris 2024
In the recent Paris Olympics, the 10K swimming marathon in the Seine River offered a valuable lesson, as 1500m pool swimmers competed alongside open water specialists. The world's best 1500m pool swimmers, who typically dominate in the pool, struggled significantly, effectively "eating dust." You might wonder, "What could be the difference? Both types of swimmers are suited for long distances." Let's examine the distinctions.
What caught our attention in the Paris 2024 open water results was that almost all the well-known 1500m or 800m freestyle pool world champions finished far behind.
Let's look at the list together and examine it individually:
Kristof RASOVSZKY (Open Water) 1:50:52.7
Oliver KLEMET (Open Water/Pool) 1:50:54.8
David BETLEHEM (Open Water) 1:51:09.0
Domenico ACERENZA (Open Water)
Logan FONTAINE (Open Water)
Hector Thomas Cheal PARDOE (Open Water)
Marc-Antoine OLIVIER (Open Water)
Florian WELLBROCK (Pool/Open Water) 1500m World Champion
Gregorio PALTRINIERI (Open Water/Pool) 1500m World Champion
18. Daniel WIFFEN (Pool) 800m World Champion. 1:57:20.1
23. Kuzey TUNCELLI (Pool) 1500m Junior World Champion 2:02:58.1
24. Felix AUBOECK (Pool) 2:03:00.5 (World Top 10)
25. Henrik CHRISTIANSEN (Pool) 2:03:38.2 (World Top 10)
Looking at the results above, we know there isn't a 13-minute speed difference between the first and 25th place among these world-class swimmers.
In Paris, World Aquatics set a quota system. Accordingly, a certain number of athletes directly qualified based on their performance in open water swimming world championships, while another group of athletes qualified for the 10K open water race based on their long-distance pool performances (800m and 1500m freestyle).
This decision was believed to create an opportunity for successful long-distance pool swimmers to transition into open water swimming or compete in both disciplines. For example, 11 male and 2 female swimmers qualified for the 10K open water based on their pool performances. These names included prominent athletes like Felix Auboeck, Guilherme Costa, Daniel Wiffen, Kuzey Tunçelli, and Emir Batur Albayrak.
However, open water and pool swimming are two distinct disciplines. To draw an analogy, open water is like Rally racing, while pool swimming is like Formula 1.
Open Water (Rally):
External Factors: Conditions constantly change. The current, waves, and wind in one area can be entirely different just a short distance away in another cove.
Drafting: Since it's a mass start, drafting (swimming in the slipstream of the swimmer ahead) and positioning oneself in the lead group are crucial.
Navigation Skills: The swimmer requires positional awareness and perception skills.
High Cadence: To adapt to varying conditions, similar to a rally car, high-cadence swimming compensates more quickly for the adverse effects of external conditions.
Pool 1500m (Formula 1):
External Factors: Pools have unchanging conditions with no waves, currents, or wind.
Drafting: Each athlete swims in their own lane.
Navigation Skills: Following the line in the middle of the lane or staying in the lane is sufficient.
Low Cadence: Being inclined to glide, taking fewer strokes, and having long arms and legs are advantageous.
Flexibility: Those who can perform an underwater dolphin kick during turns have an advantage.
Each of the above factors could be explored in long articles as separate topics. The body types and mental differences required for two disciplines with so many variables are precisely why most pool swimmers achieve these results in open water. Similar results would be obtained if world champion open water swimmers were to compete in pool races.
However, some exceptional swimmers stand out:
Gregorio PALTRINIERI
Florian WELLBROCK
Oliver KLEMET
All three of these athletes are successful in both pool and open water. The only exception where pool swimmers succeed in open water is when they encounter sea conditions as calm and current-free as a pool. Otherwise, they have no chance of success in wavy and current-affected seas. In the 2016 Rio 10K open water race, in wavy conditions, the final kilometer saw an intense finish among athletes who were accustomed to swimming with a high rhythm. I highly recommend watching it.
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