Pernilla Lindberg Shines Again at the 2024 World Para Swimming Open Water World Cup

The 2024 World Para Swimming Open Water World Cup unfolded in the stunning blue waters of La Cinta Bay in San Teodoro, Sardinia, Italy, on September 21st. This picturesque Mediterranean setting provided the perfect backdrop for eight exceptional S14 international athletes—four men and four women—who competed in a world-class field fresh from the excitement of Paris.

Among the star athletes were Canada’s Nicholas Bennett, Finland’s Nader Khalilli, Italy’s Kevin Casali and Marina Pettinella, Great Britain’s Jessica-Jane Applegate and Siena Oxley, Spain’s Alejandro Meneses Medero, and Sweden’s two-time champion, Pernilla Lindberg. The day before the race, the athletes enjoyed training in the Mediterranean, marvelling at rays and fish swimming beneath them—a welcome distraction from the typical pool lane markings. For some, it was their first time competing in the sea; for others, it was a continuation of their journey in open water events.

Pernilla, known for her prowess in open water events, came into the competition fresh off her 2023 title win, and once again proved her dominance in this gruelling discipline. With a smile that radiated her joy for the sport, Pernilla retained her title, finishing first in the female S14 category. This achievement marks yet another milestone in her impressive career as she continues to excel in long-distance swimming.

In both the male and female S11-S14 category, the podium was dominated by S14 swimmers. Nicholas Bennett of Canada took the top spot, followed by Nader Khalili of Finland and Kevin Casali of Italy. In the female category, Pernilla Lindberg claimed first place, with Jessica-Jane Applegate from Great Britain coming in second and fellow Brit Siena Oxley securing third. The athletes swam a challenging 3 km distance, completing two laps of a 600-meter course under perfect conditions, with clear blue skies and crystal-clear water.

When asked how she felt after winning her second consecutive World Open Water Championship, Pernilla was radiant,

“It feels great! It’s always nice to swim open water, because long distances are what I’m really good at, and that’s what I’m going to focus more on.”

Pernilla’s preparations for both Paris 2024 and the Open Water competition in Sardinia were impressive. Although the two events were close in timing, she expressed confidence in handling both, particularly as a distance swimmer.

“It wasn’t really that hard since I am a distance swimmer. I also had the Swedish Nationals in Open Water two weeks before Paris and became the Swedish Champion for the second time in two years for non-disability,” she said. However, she noted that Paris required more attention to detail, and things didn’t go exactly as she had hoped.

When asked about her competitors, Pernilla acknowledged the initial challenge posed by Jessica-Jane Applegate but explained that she managed to increase the distance between them after 800 meters, finishing comfortably ahead. Her experience from last year’s competition undoubtedly gave her an advantage.

“All Open Water competitions give me new experiences, but of course, it was an advantage to have swum here in San Teodoro before.”

The conditions in Sardinia this year were favourable, with calm waters making for a smoother race. Pernilla also enjoyed the natural beauty of the bay, spotting stingrays as she swam. “The water here in Sardinia is very clear and beautiful,” she remarked, adding that she extended her stay for a short vacation, where she had the chance to snorkel in the same pristine waters.

Pernilla Lindberg’s back-to-back victories at the World Para Swimming Open Water World Cup are a testament to her dedication and skill in the sport. As she continues to focus on long-distance events, Pernilla is setting an inspiring example for athletes everywhere. She expressed her hopes for the future of open water events in Para swimming, “I hope World Para Swimming will go further with this kind of competition, and I hope very much it can become a championship soon.”

Full results are available here.