Dubai: Most of the swimmers are using the 10km Fina Marathon Swimming World Cup in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) as a preparation to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
"This race is crucial to our plans for getting ready for the Olympic qualifying to be held in Spain," Antonio Mariante, manager of the Brazilian swimming team told Gulf News.
Brazil has entered three swimmers in the two categories with Allan Do Carmo showing a lot of promise in the men's division, while Poliana Oktmoto and 16-year-old Ana Soares are entered in the women's division.
The open water swimming will be a brand new feature during the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the first qualifying round to choose the best 20 swimmers will be held in Seville, Spain from May 3-8.
"I am quite pleased that we have a strong field here. But I feel no pressure as I plan to have a very tactical race on Saturday," said Valerio Cleri, winner of the opening round in Santos, Brazil, in January this year. "I know it is going to be a tough race, but I am prepared for the challenge."
Mohammad Al Zanati of Egypt has been a huge challenger in the world of open water swimming. "This is going to be a very attractive competition due to the huge presence of top swimmers here," Al Zanati said.
"This is like home for me and I feel so confident that I get a feeling that I will do well in this race," added the 24-year-old Egyptian.
Russian Vladimir Dyatchin, a regular podium finisher in open water competitions, was only looking at a good time in preparation of the Olympic qualifying in Seville.
'Enough time'
"This is a good preparation and the two months before the Olympic qualifying will give me enough time to make adjustments in my objective towards going to Beijing this year," Dyatchin said.
The RAK race - to be held at the RAK Water Ski Club - is the second round of the eight-race 10km Marathon World Cup.
In the women's section, the Russians, Italians and Germans are the favourites. With Santos winner Larissa Ilchenko (Russia), Kirsten Groome (US) and Germany's Angela Maurer and Britta Kamrau coming a day later, much of the attention is on Brazilian Poliana Oktmoto.
