The swimming pool of the Majori sports center in Ordizia will host the 43rd edition of the International Christmas Tournament today. About 250 swimmers of nine … nationalities will take part in a 43rd edition. There will be representatives from the Netherlands, Russia, France, Ukraine, Portugal, Argentina, Mexico and Colombia. Starting at 10:00 a.m., the different tests will be broadcast by streaming throughout the day. In addition, the finals can be followed live on EITB between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
International swimmers who will meet throughout the day at one of the most important international events in Gipuzkoa and Euskal Herria will share the pool with local promises. The Euskal Herria team will try to get its best athletes on the podium. In the women’s category, Nahia Garrido (Tolosaldea), Maider Redin (Easwim) stand out in the 100 medley and Delia Rodríguez (Getxo) in the 50 freestyle and butterfly. As for the men’s category, Oscar Pascual (Real Canoe) from Navarre and Asier Iguiñiz (Bidasoa XXI) from Irunda will be the biggest references.
The name of the day as the great favorite is Hugo González de Oliveira. He will defend the title achieved in 2024 and, if he wins, it would be the fourth championship he has won in this tournament since he also won in 2021 and 2022. The Mallorcan arrives at the event in great shape after a good European short course and after breaking the Spanish record in 400 styles last weekend.
The Goierrita Christmas event will feature the world runner-up in the 1500 meters freestyle, the Frenchman Damien Joly, although the events he must compete in take him away from the pools as they are too short for his specialty. Furthermore, repeats Thomas Verhoeven, European bronze medalist, will arrive ready to break the records of the butterfly events championship. The Ukrainian Valentyn Nesterkin will be another of the favorites to step on the podium in the speed tests.
The event is more open in the women’s category, although the Russian Nika Godun, European bronze in the 50 breaststroke, stands out. She will have competition from the young Nayara Pineda, who won the txapela last year in Paco Yoldi thanks to her performance in the 50-meter breaststroke. Another international swimmer who will fight to get on the podium is the Portuguese Mariana Pacheco. In the backstroke events she will coincide with Sara Costa, runner-up of the 2023 edition, and Nahia Garrido from Urretxuarra. Nahia Zudaire is the top favorite in the adapted test.
