Ibiza – The second leg of the Open Water Swimming World Cup kicks off in Ibiza, with the Italian team led by Olympic and world champion Gregorio Paltrinieri, who is aiming to earn his first ranking points after being disqualified in Soma Bay. The first leg, held in the Red Sea resort town, saw Olympic bronze medalist Ginevra Taddeucci take a brilliant second place behind Australian Olympic silver medalist Moesha Johnson. The Italian team also finished third in the mixed 4x1500 relay, with SuperGreg and Taddeucci among the swimmers.

Over 120 athletes from 28 countries will take the plunge in the 10-kilometer race, scheduled for April 25, starting at the CNSE Sailing Club Santa Eulàlia. The women’s race will begin at 9 a.m. and the men’s at 12 p.m. The course is a polygon marked by six buoys, each lap measuring 1.666 km and repeated six times. The air temperature is expected to be around 20°C, and the water around 18°C.

On April 26, the 3 km knock-out sprint will make its debut, replacing the 4x1500 meter relay. The women’s heat is at 9 a.m. and the men’s at 12 p.m. The competition features three levels: quarterfinals over 1500 meters, semifinals over 1000 meters with direct elimination, and a 500-meter final among the top ten athletes to determine the podium.

The World Cup will continue in Setubal (June 14–16) and Golfo Aranci (October 10–11).

Selected athletes: Gregorio Paltrinieri (Fiamme Oro / Cooper Nuoto), Dario Verani (Esercito / Livorno Acquatics), Marcello Guidi (Fiamme Oro / RN Cagliari), Luca De Tullio (Fiamme Oro / CC Aniene), Andrea Filadelli (Marina Militare / Superba), Ginevra Taddeucci (Fiamme Oro / CC Napoli), Barbara Pozzobon (Fiamme Oro / Hydros), Giulia Gabbrielleschi (Fiamme Oro / Nuotatori Pistoiesi), Linda Caponi (CC Carabinieri).

Staff members include technical-organizational coordinator Stefano Rubaudo and coaches Fabrizio Antonelli, Giovanni Pistelli, Massimiliano Lombardi, Ivan Sacchi, Pietro Bonanno, and Sergio Crescenzi.