Stéphane Gomez, of France, and Britta Kamrau, of Germany, took top honours in the world's longest swimming race, 88km up the Paraná River, in Argentina (not the Brazilian river as suggested earlier - sincere apologies from this graduate of geography).

Gomez, from Saint-Affrique/Aveyron), won the showcase stage of the swimming marathon world cup in 9hrs 27mins 37sec. The race was watched by an estimated 100,000 spectators spread out along the river banks. The swimmer said: "Physically, all things can affect you, like cramp, intense shoulder pain, but in the end it's a mental game." He put his win down to experience and his work with a coach named simply as Javier.

Javier was quoted as saying that "the pride and courage" of his swimmer had won him the race. "Me, I'm just his eyes, I guide him and nourish him".

The second man home was almost five minutes behind, while back in fifth place overall and less than 12 minutes from Gomez was the first woman home, Britta Kamrau, of Germany, on 9hr 39min 20sec.