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  World Class Swimmers in the Channels in the Heart of CopenhagenThe first FINA event ever is scheduled in the Copenhagen channels surrounding Christiansborg happened today. Some of the world's best open water swimmers threw themselves into a unique swim around Christiansborg. The route around the Danish government building is exactly 2 km. Thus, the World Cup swimmers have to swim the route 5 times until they cross the finishing line. The list of participants encompasses top names from many nations. The FINA event is part of the string of pearls of major international sports events in Denmark in 2009 and has received the Danish government's seal of approval as an official Danish Year of Sport 2009 event. Shotlist: Interviews in order of appearance: Pia Holmen, Director, The Danish Swimming Federation Thomas Lurz (Germany), Winner of World Cup Open Water in Copenhagen (Men) Petar Stoychev (Bulgaria), Silver medal in World Cup Open Water in Copenhagen (Men) Angela Maurer (Germany), Bronze medal in World Cup Open Water in Copenhagen (Ladies) SOUND BITES: Sound bite, Pia Holmen: You have to swim around Christiansborg, and this really quite special, because Christiansborg is the parliament building. And in how many cities is it possible to swim around the parliament building? Sound bite Thomas Lurz: I won the race, and I am very happy with the result. 10km race is always very hard, and the water really cold. So I am very glad to win the race, and was perfect for me. My special tactic was until 8km to be the pack and try to save power, and draft behind the people. And after the last lap, I wanted to leave the group and then I did this, and it worked very good for me. Around the city like this is the perfect idea. I think it the future of open water swimming, because all spectators can look the whole race, and walk with it and it is a nice idea. And I think in the future there should be more races like this. I was really focused on the race, so during the race I couldn't see the nice houses and buildings, but the day before in training. I watched the city and of course it really nice and perhaps I will come and visit for holiday. Sound bite Petar Stoychev: I just wanted to be en the back of the group, and try to save some energy for the end. I got a little bit hard time with the jellyfishes. I was feeling comfortable all the time in race, and in the end I was sure that I would be in the top 3. So I did it, and I am really happy with the result. First of all I got a chance to swim in the downtown of the city, and in very clean water, which was a really surprise for me. Secondly you have people all around, and it is very easy for the spectators to observe the race and to see swimmers during the 10km race. Sound bite Angela Maurer: I was just a little bit afraid of the cold water. I had no special tactic, just to swim and see how I felt for the last 400 meters, but today I was little bit tired in the end, so I lost my second position and got the third position. But it was okay for me. SHOT LIST: View of the goal area Swimmers jumping in the water Interview with Pia Holmen Swimmers swimming around Christiansborg Swimmers in water with Copenhagen buildings in background Swimmers in front of The Black Diamond Interview with Thomas Lurz Swimmers in channels Underwater pictures of the swimmers with buildings in the background Interview with Thomas Lurz Underwater pictures of the swimmers with buildings in the background Underwater pictures of the swimmers with Nationalbanken in background Underwater pictures of clear water Interview with Thomas Lurz Underwater pictures from the channels Close ups with swimmers in water Interview with Petar Stoychey Swimmers with the Danish Parliament, Christiansborg, in the background Interview with Petar Stoychey Swimmers in front of Gammel Strand area Swimmers drinking water Spectators looking at swimmers in water Interview with Angela Maurer Men Swimmers at the goal area Men Swimmers coming up from the water Spectators clapping Lady swimmers at the goal area Lady swimmers coming up from the water Award ceremony for both men and ladies
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