Miguel Bou and Iris Gracia triumph in the 24th L’Illa de Benidorm Open-Water Swimming Race
The Vila Swim Fondistas athlete secured his fifth consecutive victory with a time of 41:41, while the women’s winner, representing Máster Morvedre, stopped the clock at 54:06
The event brought together more than 300 participants and hundreds of spectators from early in the morning at Mal Pas Beach
The swimmer from Club Vila Swim, Miguel Bou, won the 24th edition of the L’Illa de Benidorm Open-Water Swimming Race, held this morning, securing his fifth consecutive victory. Bou dominated the race with authority, stopping the clock at 41:41.
In the women’s category, victory went to Iris García of Club Máster Morvedre, who completed the course in 54:06. The trophy for the club with the highest number of swimmers to cross the finish line went to Club Deportivo Finisher, with fourteen swimmers.
Councillor for Sports Javier Jordá, together with other members of the municipal government, welcomed the winners and all the participants at Mal Pas Beach. From early in the morning, the beach became one of the busiest spots in the city, with hundreds of spectators watching the race live. The event was held in optimal conditions for open-water swimming.
The participants boarded the traditional golondrina shortly after 7:30 a.m., which took them to the island, where the competition got underway shortly after 8:45 a.m. Equipped with an orange identification cap, a timing chip and the mandatory tracking buoy, the swimmers tackled a course of nearly two nautical miles—around 3.6 kilometres—between the islet and Mal Pas Beach.
Bou leads the race to extend his winning streak
The first swimmer to reach the finish line was the young Miguel Bou, from Club Vila Swim Fondistas. Second place in the overall standings went to independent swimmer Pepe Fernández, with a time of 46:20, while third place was claimed by Vicente Alonso, of Máster Morvedre, in 47:18.
In the women’s standings, Iris Gracia, of Máster Morvedre, led the race with a time of 54:06, followed by Meanie Marín, of Alphaswimminpool, in 54:27. Third place went to independent swimmer Cruz Jover, who crossed the finish line in 54:33.
In the local standings, Vicente Solbes was the first male finisher, with a time of 49:01, followed by Eduardo Burguero in 49:05 and Jordi Guirado in 52:00. In the local women’s category, victory went to Melanie Marín in 54:27, ahead of Eliana Kirst, who finished in 54:40, and Ángeles López, in 57:32.
First Deputy Mayor Ana Pellicer, who also took part in the race as a swimmer, presented the trophies to the top finishers in the different categories.
Recognition of the Supporting Organisations
During the awards ceremony, recognition was also given to the organisations and entities that contributed to the organisation and running of the event, including the Red Cross, the Local Police Beach Section, Club Náutico Benidorm, RA Benidorm, Deportes y Aventuras Stones SL, Carlos Serrano Actividades Acuáticas SL, Coca-Cola European Partners and Grupo Scout Horizontes.
Ana Pellicer also conveyed the City Council’s thanks to all the individuals and swimming enthusiasts who helped make the event possible, with special recognition for those aboard the thirty sea kayaks and ten motorboats that accompanied and supported the swimmers throughout the entire course.
The final results of the 24th L’Illa de Benidorm Open-Water Swimming Race can now be consulted on the official results platform: www.chiplevante.com.
