Bulgarian Swimmer Leads Open Water Grand Prix in Argentina

Bulgaria's top swimmer Petar Stoychev is leading the ranking in the 2011 Open Water Swimming Grand Prix in Argentina. Photo by EPA./BGNES

Bulgarian swimmer Petar Stoychev has finished first at the second leg of the 2011 FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix in Sante Fe-Coronda, Argentina.

The Bulgarian completed the 57 kilometers for a time of 8:14:41 hours. He was followed by Italy's top swimmer Andrea Volpini by only a second.

Even though he was considered to be the winner in the first race, Stoychev finished fourth.

Stoychev has been the dominator of the four Grand Prix seasons. He is currently one point ahead of Volpiri in the temporary ranking. The last win is his sixth consecutive success in Santa Fe.

"It was an extremely tough competition. I managed to win thanks to my strong final sprint. This year each country has sent its best swimmers again. It is getting more and more difficult and the competition is strong," Stoychev told the Bulgarian News Agency.

In his words, his coach Krasimir Tumanov had a key role in his success.

"I won thanks to the tough trainings in Germany and the good tactics, prepared by my coach," Stoychev said.

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