Stari Grad gearing up for European Aquatics Open Water Swimming Championships 2025
The Adriatic town on the northern side of the island of Hvar will welcome Europe’s elite open water swimmers for four days of racing, from May 28 to 31. As previously announced, the 5km and 10km events will return to the schedule, as well as the new 3km knockout sprint competition, which recently made its debut in the World Aquatics Open Water Cup. The action takes place just weeks before the summer’s World Championships in Singapore.
The European Aquatics Open Water Swimming Championships has a rich tradition dating back to 1989, which saw Stari Grad hosting the first ever edition of the competition. This year’s edition of the competition is the 21st edition of the Championships, and the eighth stand-alone edition.
Italy arrives with a formidable record in open water, having topped the medal table in Belgrade 2024 with three golds – including Gregorio Paltrinieri’s spectacular sprint finish in the 10km – alongside three silvers and two bronzes. The Olympic and world champion continues to be a cornerstone of the Italian team, bringing experience and endurance to an otherwise youthful squad.
Their nearest rivals last year were a mixture of Hungary, France, and Germany. David Betlehem, Hungary’s rising star, claimed the men’s 5km title in Belgrade and also took a bronze in the 10km. He will be one to watch again should the Hungarians field that contingent, especially if he lines up alongside compatriot Kristof Rasovszky, the Olympic gold medallist in the 10km from Paris that summer.
The women’s competition in Belgrade was dominated by Germany’s Leonie Beck, who earned gold in the 10km the 5km. Despite her taking some time away from the sport and trying her hand in the media, the country will be sure to lean on their depth of talent in Croatia later this month.
The edition prior to that scintillating showing in Belgrade came at 2022’s European Aquatics Championships in Rome. At that competition, host nation Italy once again claimed the best team accolade, with a clean sweep of the men ‘s and team events, as well as four medals in the women’s. It was also Sharon Van Rouwendaal’s most recent European medal, as she took gold in the women’s 5km event. Germany and France continued their strong showings, which will undoubtedly follow in Stari Grad.
That trend was almost perfectly replicated in 2021’s edition of the competition in Budapest. Italy were once again the best performing team, meaning that they will be aiming to make it four in a row in 2025. At that competition in the Hungarian capital, Paltrinieri and Van Rouwendaal both took brace’s in the men’s and women’s respective 5km and 10km events, with Germany’s Lea Boy also taking a gold medal. She will be a one to watch this year, regardless of her appearance in Stari Grad.
Expect stunning backdrops, shifting tactics and high drama as the best in Europe take on the pristine – and potentially unpredictable – waters of Stari Grad. Stay tuned to this site for news, full previews and live coverage throughout the Championships.
Stephen Stanley for European Aquatics
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