Mark Warkentin and Fran Crippen kicked off the 2008 FINA 10K Marathon World Cup in the Santos, Brazil. The 2008 FINA 10K World Cup Series will consist of eight races throughout the year.

Mark Warkentin was the Top American Finisher at the FINA 10K Marathon World Cup. With more than 50 competitors, Mark finished in fifth place in the 10K with a time of 1:58:47.10. He was just seconds from the leader. Fran Crippen fought the pack for a Top 10 Finish, just 2 seconds behind TYR teammate Mark.

“This is the last real race for Mark before Seville. We tried new tactical moves that will help him win in Seville,” says Coach John Dussliere.

Mark and Micha Burden completed an intense training camp in Mexico with other US open water team members. Mark, Micha, and Erica Rose continue to prepare for the 2008 World Championship in Seville in May.

At the Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix, our athletes performed at record pace in the new Tracer Light Olympic swimsuit technology.

We are very proud of our swimmers and remain dedicated to developing the most advanced technology on the market.

Overall Performance by TYR athletes in Tracer Light Swimsuit:

• 17 Medals: 6 Gold, 8 Silver, 3 Bronze
• 6 Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix Meet Records Set
• 7 Personal Best Times
• Male High Point Award Winner
• Female High Point Award Winner Runner-Up

Gold Medal Performances:

• Mary DeScenza – 200yd Butterfly
• Mary DeScenza – 100yd Backstroke
• Matt Grevers – 200yd Backstroke
• Matt Grevers – 200yd Freestyle
• Matt Grevers – 50yd Freestyle
• Matt Grevers – 200yd IM

Silver Medal Performances:

• Matt Grevers – 100yd  Freestyle
• Matt Grevers – 100yd Butterfly
• Mary DeScenza – 200yd Freestyle
• Mary DeScenza – 100yd Butterfly
• Mary DeScenza – 200yd Backstroke
• Mary DeScenza – 1,000yd Freestyle
• Peter Marshall – 100yd Backstroke
• Peter Marshall – 200yd Backstroke

Bronze Medal Performances:

• Matt Grevers – 100yd Backstroke
• Matt Grevers – 200yd Butterfly
• Mary DeScenza –1,000yd Freestyle

Long Beach Grand Prix Meet Records in Tracer Light:

• Mary DeScenza – 200yd Butterfly
• Mary DeScenza – 100yd Backstroke
• Matt Grevers – 200yd Backstroke
• Matt Grevers – 200yd Freestyle
• Matt Grevers – 50yd Freestyle
• Matt Grevers – 200yd IM

Lifetime Personal Best Times in Tracer Light:

• Matt Grevers – 50yd Freestyle in 19.18
• Matt Grevers – 200yd Freestyle in 1:33.44
• Matt Grevers – 100yd Freestyle in 42.24
• Mary DeScenza – 100yd Backstroke in 52.40
• Mary DeScenza – 200yd Backstroke in 1:52.44
• Mary DeScenza – 200yd Butterfly in 1:53.09
• Peter Marshall – 200yd Backstroke in 1:42.12

At the Long Beach Grand Prix, US National Champion Matt Grevers performed at the top of his game. He won three Gold medals, one Silver medal and set three Lifetime Personal Best Times all in the new Tracer Light. Way to go Matt!

In the 200yd Freestyle, Matt touched the wall first and cleared off two full seconds off his All Time Personal Best Time. He clocked in at 1:33.44, over a second ahead of the next competitor. In the same evening, the sprinter jumped into the 50yd Freestyle with a dominant first place finish. Again, Matt set his Lifetime Personal Best Time of 19.18 in this fast paced race.

Matt took on the strong competitive field in the 200yd Backstroke for another win. He touched the wall at 1:39.99. TYR teammate, Peter Marshall took second in a 1:42.12. Matt challenged the world’s best in the 100yd Freestyle with another Personal Best Time (42:24) and a second place finish.

On the women’s side, Mary DeScenza dominated the Long Beach Grand Prix. Every time you look up, Mary is stepping on the blocks for another race. Her stamina and versatility places her in a promising spot for the meet’s high point award winner.

Starting off the meet with speed, Mary captured Silver in the 1,000yd Freestyle in 9:37.52, nearly 13 seconds faster than her prelims time. TYR distance specialist Katie Carroll took the Bronze medal, finishing in 9:48.42. Mary continued her speed streak with a win in the 200yd Butterfly with a new Lifetime Personal Best time of 1:53.09. A time that places Mary as the Top Five All-Time Fastest Americans in the event.

Mary added two more Silver medals in the 200yd Backstroke and 200yd Freestyle, 1:52.44 and 1:44.09, respectively. In the 200yd Backstroke, her time of 1:52.44 marked her Lifetime Personal Time.

New to the TYR team, Pat Cary of Trojan Swim Club, captured a Bronze in the 200yd Butterfly in 1:44.84. Pat improved his prelim time by nearly three seconds. Doug Van Wie took a top five finish in the 200yd Freestyle.

With still an evening of final swims yet to come, TYR swimmers have already achieved great success at the Long Beach Grand Prix. The meet was covered with a prominent TYR presence. Sponsored by FAST swim team, TYR spread over the pool deck from meet official’s uniforms to athletes sporting our new Tracer Light Olympic technology. This meet launched the first major US swim competition of the 2008 Olympic year.

Congratulations to all our swimmers!

Desiree Ficker kicks off the new year with a title in the Ironman 70.3 South Africa, the first Ironman competition of 2008. The inaugural event drew 900 triathletes to the warm waters of Orient Beach, East London for the 1.9km swim, 90km cycle and 21.1km.

Desiree was the race favorite, right from the start. She came out of the swim leg behind nine competitors. Needing to make up time, Desiree leaped right into second place on the cycling leg of the race. Determined to win, Desiree took the lead at 52km to win the race twelve minutes ahead of the runner up in a time of 4:46:46.

Congratulations Desiree!