World Para Swimming Open Water Cup to return to Sardinia in June

The third edition of the Sardinia World Para Swimming Open Water Cup will take place on 21 June in Alghero, welcoming top Para swimmers from around the world for a day of competition in the pristine waters off the Italian island’s north-west coast.  

Following the success of the 2023 and 2024 events held at San Teodoro Beach, around 150km west of Alghero, this year’s event promises to continue building momentum and excellence in open water Para swimming.  

The competition will be held along the Lido San Giovanni and Spiaggia di Mugoni beaches, with men’s and women’s 1.5km races for athletes from classes S3-S6, and men’s and women’s 3km events for classes S7-S10 and classes S11-S14. 

The deadline for entries is 3 June and more information can be found here.

This event is a collaboration between World Para Swimming, the Italian Para Swimming Federation and the AlbatroSS Sporting Association.  

The Sardinia Open Water Cup was launched in 2023 to increase participation numbers in Para swimming events and provide further competition opportunities. 

Newly crowned Paralympic champions 🇨🇦 Nicolas Bennett and 🇬🇧 Tully Kearney added more titles to their impressive month as they were among the six winners of the second edition of the World Para Swimming Sardinia Open Water Cup. pic.twitter.com/3JIko8HlUV

— Para Swimming (@Para_swimming) September 23, 2024

Spain dominated the first edition picking three victories with Javier Torres (men’s 1.5km), Jacobo Brun (men’s 3km S7-S10) and Alejandro Medero (men’s 3km S11-S14).  

Canada’s Nicolas Bennett (men’s 3km S11-S14) Sand Great Britain’s Tully Kearney (women’s 1.5km S3-S6) were among the stars that topped the podium at last year’s Open Water Cup less than a month after winning gold at the Paralympic Games in Paris.  

Sweden’s Pernilla Lindberg became the first athlete to claim back-to-back titles in the World Para Swimming Open Water Cup, in the women’s 3km S11-S14.  

“We are proud to return to Sardinia for the third edition of the Open Water Cup,” said Craig Nicholson, Head of World Para Swimming. “This event not only showcases world-class Para swimming, but also highlights the importance of inclusivity and accessibility, offering persons with disabilities access to beaches and outdoor swimming.”