Confident Cunha eager to sign-off on a high
LoBue looks to avenge earlier loss to Hunt as stage is set for Fina event
Brazilian Ana Marcela Cunha, having already clinched the Fina/HOSA 10km Marathon Swim World Series, will be looking to sign off on a high when she takes to the waters of the Abu Dhabi Corniche in the season-ending race today.
The two-day event will also see the Fina High Diving World Cup take place where reigning world champion Steve LoBue of the United States will be looking to revive his rivalry with Gary Hunt of Britain.
“It is going to be a tough race because it is the trials for a lot of countries with regard to their participation at the 2019 Fina World Championships in Gwnagju in Korea,” said Cunha, who has accumulated an unassailable 96 points. It is also the first race for a lot of competitors from Europe. “I’m aware that I have a lot of points in the Fina World Series, but I still want to make something different in this amazing Abu Dhabi setting. For me, every single race is an opportunity to win and that’s the reason I came here. The objective is to be on the podium,” Cunha added.
Cunha is yet to win a medal at the Olympics despite participating twice in the showpiece since making her debut in 2008.
“I had finished fifth in Beijing and in Brazil, in 2016, I finished 10th,” she said. “So the preparation is for the Worlds next year and the Tokyo Olympics. I want to go step by step and then be 100 per cent ready for the Tokyo Games. Winning a medal there is a long-cherished dream.”
Cunha’s main challengers will be 2016 Olympic champion Sharon van Rouwendaal of the Netherlands and Italian Rachele Bruni, silver medallist at the Rio Games and winner of the 10km circuit in 2015 and 2016.
Speaking about her chances, Bruni said: “I think I’m better prepared, but it will be a hard race. I have worked really hard for this one and hopefully I can finish on the podium.”
In the men’s event, 2018 leader and 2016 Olympic champion Ferry Weertman of the Netherlands will be the one to watch out for. He will be facing a firm test from Jack Burnell of Britain, who is currently second in overall rankings and still has a mathematical chance to clinch the title.
In diving, world champion LoBue will be renewing his rivalry with Hunt tomorrow and eyeing a revenge after losing out on the top honours in the Red Bull series earlier.
“Last year, I lost to Hunt here at Yas Marina and had to be content with second spot,” he said. “If I can win here then it will be an amazing feeling.”