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Setúbal Soundbites | Open water athlete insights ahead of third World Cup stop

Preparations are well underway for the event, which will present different conditions for the athletes to those they experienced during the first two stops in Somabay and Ibiza. Five swimmers who are hoping to play a big part in Setúbal give us an insight into what we might expect.  Kristóf Rasovszky – Hungary Image Source: […]

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Preparations are well underway for the event, which will present different conditions for the athletes to those they experienced during the first two stops in Somabay and Ibiza. Five swimmers who are hoping to play a big part in Setúbal give us an insight into what we might expect. 

Kristóf Rasovszky – Hungary


Image Source: Olympic champion Kristóf Rasovszky is among the stars set to compete in Setúbal (Luke Hales/Getty Images)

The reigning Olympic champion is no stranger to racing at this venue, having first competed here back in 2017. Although his sights are set on the World Aquatics Championships, the Hungarian open water stalwart says that a podium finish in Setúbal would be a great signifier before Singapore.

On how he’s feeling coming into this event:
“I’m feeling really good, we had the European Championships two weeks ago which went really well so I hope I can do the same here and have a good race in the 10km and the knockout as well. I hope I can be on the podium; that would be a great sign before the Worlds.

“I’m really looking forward to racing here again because it’s one of my best venues where I compete. My first ever result here was sixth place last year. I’ve been on the podium almost every time so I’m really happy to be here and hopefully going to continue with this series being in the top six and maybe on the podium.”

On race tactics:
“The water is going to be a bit chilly but it’s good for me so I’m happy with that. A big wind could come and make it a bit choppy so I’m preparing for a hard race. I think most of the best are going to stay together until the end but maybe there’s going to be a little pack on the front, like 10-12 swimmers that could get away from the big pack.”

On knockout sprint racing:
“It’s a new format, I’ve done it already twice at Ibiza and the Europeans and it went quite well. In Ibiza I was fourth and in the Europeans I won. It’s really tactical and you have to prepare for everything. You have to focus on the places and in the 500 you have no time to be tactical, you just have to push it as hard as you can.

“The [new course] is not really a big change but hopefully it gives a better view for the audience to see the race results, especially for the knockout on Sunday. I hope a lot of spectators will be there and it’s going to be a great event this year as it has been.”

Enjoyment over pressure:
“I’m just trying to enjoy it and be as good as I can. Right now I’m feeling like I don’t have too much pressure on me to win all the medals because I already got an Olympic gold so for my career, it’s my biggest achievement so far. Anything else that comes is a plus.”

Bettina Fabian – Hungary


Image Source: Bettina Fabian has six World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup medals to her name (Emanuele Perrone/Getty Images)

Having carried her success as a junior into the senior ranks, Fabian admits that her first visit to Setúbal some three years ago came at a time when she considered stepping away from open water altogether. Now, the former world junior champion has six World Cup medals to her name, most recently taking silver and bronze in the 3km knockout and 10km at the previous stop, and says that Setúbal offers the perfect backdrop for learning.

On her growth in Setúbal:
“When I was here for the first time it was the European Junior Championships and I was about to stop open water swimming. But after I came here one year later, I got fourth at my third World Cup so I would say that I’m getting better year by year here and I’m starting to like this venue and this place more and more. I’m actually very excited for tomorrow and hope that I will achieve an even better result than two years ago.

“Tomorrow, there are specific girls who can reach the podium, and I really hope that I can be one of them. I won’t say names because all of the athletes are so good here.”

On the racing conditions:
“I’m excited for the conditions, it’s a very hard venue. I think this is the perfect place to teach people how to swim open water. I developed so much in the past few years by competing here so I’m just glad that I can race here every year and improve more and more during the years.

On looking ahead to Singapore:
“[This race] is the perfect time slot because we are weeks before the World Champs and this is the last race that we wanted to participate in. After this race, we are going to a training camp and just focus on the preparation for the World Champs so that we can perform our best there.”

Dario Verani – Italy


Image Source: Dario Verani is set for his debut in the 3km knockout sprint event this weekend (Emanuele Perrone/Getty Images)

Fresh from his silver medal-winning performance in the 10km at the Ibiza leg of the World Cup, Verani is gearing up for a challenging weekend of racing; one that will also mark his debut in the 3km knockout sprint event this Sunday.

On racing in Setúbal:
“I feel good, I love this place and every year we come here so I’m very happy to do the race. It will be a hard race because there are waves and cold water so it will be a good challenge.”

On the Italian podium clean sweep in Ibiza:
“I felt good in Ibiza, I had a good race with my teammates Andrea and Giuseppe so I hope that here will be the same, but the race changes every time so we will see. My tactic is to stay on the group and then the last kilometre is a real race because the race pace is faster.”

On his 3km knockout sprint debut:
 “I will do it on Sunday for the first time because in Ibiza after the 10km I didn’t feel good. For this new race, it’s my first time and we will see the result but I hope it will be good. It’s a good way to change the sport because it’s important that more swimmers from the swimming pool come to our sport so it will be a good challenge and a good race.”

Caroline Jouisse – France  


Image Source: Caroline Jouisse competed at the French Open Water Swimming Championships in Martigues last weekend (Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Open water veteran Jouisse has eight World Cup medals to her name, stretching back to the Lac St-Jean stop in 2019. Having come home sixth in the 10km event in Ibiza, she arrives in Setúbal with back-to-back racing under her belt, most recently doing the triple (10k, 5k, knockout) at the French Open Water Swimming Championships in Martigues last weekend.

On her preparation for this weekend:
“My preparation had a lot of ups and downs because I didn’t go to the Europeans, but then I did the triple last week in our championships, so I’m pretty happy about that; I didn’t expect to win the knockout so that’s pretty cool.

On Setúbal as a favourite:
“Coming here to Setúbal, I’m really happy about it because this is one of my favourite races. I know a lot of people hate it because there are waves and it’s cold and everything but I just love it. I always do good here so fingers crossed it’s going to happen again.

“The first time I ever competed here I finished sixth and that was my best result ever in a World Cup, so I always come in kind of confident because I did sixth, first and fourth. So I just have something special with this race, it’s always in my favour.”

On her unlikely love for knockout sprint:
“I mean, I love it to be honest, coming from the 25km I would not expect myself to like that kind of race but I think for the public and the people to watch it, it’s really good to see the swimmers actually coming out of the water, seeing our faces, it’s really good for the people.

“I tried one strategy in Ibiza that didn’t work out, I didn’t make it to the final. I did another strategy last week at Nationals, which has less people of course. I’m going to try something else again this week so we’ll see.”

On back-to-back racing:
“I was tapered for last week, not too much but I’m still in good shape. I did some big kilometres this week so we’ll see how I react but I think it’s okay; I’ve always been good at doing races back to back to back. I always perform doing that so I know I need that. Having Nationals last week, the week before another competition in the week and this week Setúbal will be fine.

“I loved cold water when I started open water but the older I get, the less I like it. It’s still fine for a race, I can put it aside like if it’s too hot or too cold, I can try to focus on something else but if I had to choose between Setúbal or Singapore, that’s Setubal 100%.”

Angela Martinez Guillen – Spain


Image Source: Angela Martinez Guillen is hoping to build on her success at the last World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup in Ibiza (Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

21-year-old Martinez Guillen cemented herself as a serious contender over this distance in Ibiza where she took home gold in front of a home crowd. Despite it being her first time racing in Setúbal, the former European Junior silver medallist is hoping to emulate that performance.

On competing in Setúbal:
 “I’m very excited to compete here, it’s my first time and I hope to do the same like in Ibiza. I didn’t prepare especially for this competition so it will be a surprise for me.”

On her sprint finishes:
“That’s always my tactic, sometimes I do it better or worse and I hope it will be better this weekend. I will swim the 3km knockout sprint and for me it’s new, I hope I will learn in that race.”





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Student athletes head to World University Games

Eighteen University of Auckland students are heading to the World University Games in Germany. Engineering student Flynn Howarth will be representing Aotearoa New Zealand in water polo. Eighteen students from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland have been selected to represent New Zealand at this year’s FISU World University Games in Germany, held from 16-27 […]

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Eighteen University of Auckland students are heading to the World University Games in Germany.

Water polo player in swimming pool

Engineering student Flynn Howarth will be representing Aotearoa New Zealand in water polo.

Eighteen students from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland have been selected to represent New Zealand at this year’s FISU World University Games in Germany, held from 16-27 July.  

 

They’re part of a wider team of 84 student athletes competing across multiple sports at the world’s second-largest multi-sport event after the Olympics. The Games bring together more than 8,500 student athletes and officials from over 150 countries, and often serve as a stepping stone towards Commonwealth and Olympic Games representation. 

 

The University of Auckland athletes, who are all part of the University’s High Performance Support Programme, will compete in disciplines including archery, athletics, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, beach volleyball, fencing, rowing, and water polo. 

 

Four of them share their thoughts ahead of the Games.

Lex Revell-Lewis – Athletics

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

Athletics

Lex Revell-Lewis is a New Zealand 400m record holder.

New Zealand 400m record holder Lex Revell-Lewis got his start in athletics through his local club as a young child. 

 

“Club nights were on Wednesday after school and my parents would take me along to participate in all the fun activities there were to offer. I started at a young age and haven’t looked back,” he says. 

 

At the Games, Lex will compete in the 400m, the 4x400m men’s relay, and the mixed 4x400m relay. He says he’s feeling “excited about the possibilities and curious about the outcomes.”

 

“My hopes are to lower my current national record in the 400m even further, which should put me in medal contention,” he says.

Isabella Matthews – Archery 

Bachelor of Arts

Archery

Isabella Matthews’ love of archery began at age ten.

Isabella Matthews says her love of archery began after reading Suzanne Collins’ dystopian series, The Hunger Games

 

“I was ten … I wanted to be Katniss Everdeen. I wasn’t very good at the sport, but I absolutely fell in love with it. Over time, the sport became its own thing for me, and I was doing it because I wanted to see how far I could go,” she says. 

 

Now representing Aotearoa New Zealand for the fifth time, Isabella will compete in the recurve division at her second major international tournament, just weeks after her first. 

 

“It’s super cool to be able to compete internationally back-to-back. I’m also excited to be competing against some of the world’s best archers and meeting other athletes. My hopes for the future are to win a medal at an international World Archery tournament, whether that’s individually or in a team.”

Arie Rasmussen-Magasiva – Rowing 

Bachelor of Commerce and Global Studies (Conjoint)

Rowing

Arie Rasmussen-Magasiva will be racing in the single sculls event in Germany. Photo: Sharron Bennett

Arie Rasmussen-Magasiva first gave rowing a go in high school after his friends signed up, and he hasn’t looked back. 

 

“I kind of just followed them in and thought it would be good fun, but ever since then I’ve been locked in,” he says. “My family never had a history in the sport and I’d never really heard much about it so rowing was very new to me, but now I can’t imagine what I’d do with my time without it.”

 

Arie will be racing in the single sculls event in Germany, where he’ll be competing internationally for the first time. 

 

“I’m feeling pretty nervous as it’s my first big international competition racing against athletes from countries all over. But I back myself, the training I’ve been doing and the effort I’ve put in, and I’m honestly just excited to give it everything and get as much out of this experience as I can.”

 

Arie’s long-term goal is to eventually make the Olympics. 

 

“LA 2028, that’s the big goal right now. To get there, I’ll need to earn a spot in the New Zealand Elite squad, so I’m going to keep grinding away over the next few years and see if I can make my dream come true.”

Havana Hopman – Rhythmic Gymnastics

Bachelor of Science

Rhythmic Gymnastics

Havana Hopman is a multiple New Zealand rhythmic gymnastics champion.

A multiple New Zealand champion, Havana Hopman first discovered rhythmic gymnastics at the age of seven while doing artistic gymnastics.

“I remember seeing a video of someone throwing a ball and catching it behind their head. I was mesmerised,” she says. “My parents sent me to try it out, and I’ve been in love with the sport ever since.”

Now, Havana is preparing to compete on the world stage.

“I can’t wait to get out there and perform everything we’ve been working on. I’m very proud to be representing the fern on my chest. I hope to just really enjoy it, soak it all up.”

Our other University of Auckland representatives:



Archery:


Ben McLean, Bachelor of Science

Artistic gymnastics:

Daniel Stoddart, Bachelor of Engineering 

Joshua Teitelbaum, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

Athletics:

Isabel Neal, Master of Physiotherapy Practice

Tommy Te Puni, Master of Commerce

Hannah Adye, Bachelor of Science

Marielle Venida, Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Design (Conjoint)

Jordyn Blake, Master of Property Practice

Beach Volleyball:

James Sadlier, Bachelor of Commerce

Fencing:

Elsie Lins, Bachelor of Global Studies

Matthew Valkenburg, Bachelor of Science

Chantelle May, Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Fine Arts

Helen Wang, Master of Commerce

Water Polo:

Flynn Howarth, Bachelor of Engineering

 

THE EVENT:

The Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, 16-27 July

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Some events will be broadcast live here



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Flying Bison rally late to beat Shadowcats

Herald Democrat ABILENE — The Sherman Shadowcats were unable to hold off a late push from the Abilene Flying Bison in a 7-5 loss at… Previous Post College Roundup — AC women’s water polo trio named All-Americans Next Post PHOTO: Vintage photo presentation Link 0

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Herald Democrat ABILENE — The Sherman Shadowcats were unable to hold off a late push from the Abilene Flying Bison in a 7-5 loss at…



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Chicago White Sox Trade With Toronto Blue Jays For Minor League Outfielder

CHICAGO –– The White Sox and Blue Jays wrapped up a three-game series at Rate Field on Wednesday, with Toronto winning two of three games. One day later, the teams announced a trade. The White Sox acquired outfielder Will Robertson in exchange for cash considerations and optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte. Robertson, 27, has spent […]

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Chicago White Sox Trade With Toronto Blue Jays For Minor League Outfielder

CHICAGO –– The White Sox and Blue Jays wrapped up a three-game series at Rate Field on Wednesday, with Toronto winning two of three games. One day later, the teams announced a trade.

The White Sox acquired outfielder Will Robertson in exchange for cash considerations and optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte. Robertson, 27, has spent a majority of the season with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, but played three games with the Blue Jays in June.

Across 233 minor league plate appearances in 2025, the left-handed hitter slashed .292/.403/.578 with 14 home runs, 11 doubles, 44 RBIs, 39 runs, one stolen base, 36 walks and 57 strikeouts. He recorded one hit in 12 plate appearances with the Blue Jays, representing his first stint in the major leagues.

Robertson has played all three outfield positions this season, with the most coming in right field. He has spent his entire professional career with the Blue Jays, who drafted him in the fourth round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Creighton University.

The White Sox have no shortage of outfielders on the major league roster, including Luis Robert Jr., Andrew Benintendi, Mike Tauchman, Michael A. Taylor, Austin Slater. But the team also placed Brooks Baldwin on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with a lower back strain. He had appeared in seven straight games in center field to begin July, and was replaced by first baseman Tim Elko.

The July 31 trade deadline is also approaching, and the White Sox are likely to be sellers due to their 31-62 record. That could create a path for Robertson to join the major league roster at some point this season.

The Knights have four road games against the Memphis Redbirds before the All-Star break. Thursday’s game is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET.

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Ringling College Hosts inaugural Symposium on Immersive Technology in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science

RocketKids Article SRQ DAILY THURSDAY FAMILY AND RECREATION EDITION THURSDAY JUL 10, 2025 | Ringling College of Art and Design proudly served as the host site for the inaugural Virtual Reality in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science Symposium, held June 5 and 6, 2025, and presented by the International Virtual Reality Healthcare Association (IVRHA). This […]

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RocketKids Article

Ringling College of Art and Design proudly served as the host site for the inaugural Virtual Reality in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science Symposium, held June 5 and 6, 2025, and presented by the International Virtual Reality Healthcare Association (IVRHA). This inaugural event brought together global thought leaders in healthcare, athletics, technology, and academia to explore how immersive technologies such as virtual and augmented reality are transforming sports performance, rehabilitation, and cognitive health. The symposium featured a diverse mix of clinical research, elite sports training, and design innovation, with presentations spanning football, baseball, cricket, tennis, track and field, fencing, and martial arts. These sessions emphasized the expanding role of immersive tools across both high-performance athletics and general wellness applications.

To learn more click here





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Avery Skinner – 2025 VNL with Team USA

Baylor volleyball alumna Avery Skinner is making waves once again with Team USA, this time in the 2025 installment of the Volleyball Nations’ League (VNL) week 3 in Arlington, Texas. JULY 9 – VERSUS THAILAND Skinner entered the lineup for the first time this VNL tournament and had a heck of a showing with a […]

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Baylor volleyball alumna Avery Skinner is making waves once again with Team USA, this time in the 2025 installment of the Volleyball Nations’ League (VNL) week 3 in Arlington, Texas.

JULY 9 – VERSUS THAILAND

Skinner entered the lineup for the first time this VNL tournament and had a heck of a showing with a team-high 22 points, 19 kills and 10 digs, also tacking on two blocks and an ace. The native Texan had a .324 hitting efficiency in her 2025 VNL debut, helping the the U.S. Women’s National Team defeat Thailand, 3-1 (28-26, 21-25, 27-25, 25-15).

“Thailand is an amazing team. We knew the rallies were going to be long, so for us, it was about being patient, not trying to score necessarily on the first ball but when we got our chance, then going for it,” Skinner commented. “It was special. I have been so excited waiting for this match. I’m glad we could come out and get a win. It’s really fun being back with this group. Coming to Arlington is so fun because we get to play in front of our crowd. We are grateful for all the fans who have come out to support us.”

Full results for the match can be found here. The USA Volleyball recap for the match can be found here.

JULY 10 – VERSUS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Tickets in Arlington

JULY 10 – VERSUS CANADA

Tickets in Arlington

JULY 13 – VERSUS CHINA

Tickets in Arlington

 



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Beach Volleyball Announces Hiring of Emily Kubicsko as Assistant Coach

Story Links Jacksonville, Fla. – The Jacksonville University beach volleyball team announced Thursday the hiring of Emily Kubicsko as the team’s new assistant coach.  Kubicsko joins in a coaching role after a decorated four-year career with the team as a student-athlete.  “I am thrilled to welcome Emily to our staff this […]

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Jacksonville, Fla. – The Jacksonville University beach volleyball team announced Thursday the hiring of Emily Kubicsko as the team’s new assistant coach.  Kubicsko joins in a coaching role after a decorated four-year career with the team as a student-athlete. 

“I am thrilled to welcome Emily to our staff this year,” head coach Dylan Hough said. “Over the past four years, she has been a foundational part of our program’s growth, and I’m excited to see her continue to elevate JU Beach in this new role. Emily is an exceptional teammate, leader, student, and friend. Her character and work ethic have always set the standard, and I have no doubt she will thrive and make a lasting impact in this new position.” 

During her career as an athlete, Kubicsko etched herself as the program’s all-time wins leader. 

She made an immediate impact as a freshman, appearing in 34 matches and helping the Dolphins to their most single-season wins in program history. During that 2022 campaign, she broke the freshman wins record alongside Sydney Eckhardt, and set the single-season record at the 2’s flight with Eckhardt. 

The next year, she set a new record for wins by 1’s pair in a single season by seven wins with 24. After another 16 wins in her junior year, she was only five wins shy of the all-time win record in Jacksonville Beach Volleyball history. 

Heading into her senior campaign, Kubicsko earned preseason All-ASUN honors. Fourteen games into the 2025 season, she became the all-time wins leader in Jacksonville University history. She wrapped up her illustrious career with 72 wins, 11 more than the previous record holder.  

Her senior season earned her Second-Team All-ASUN honors. Her 2022 class graduated as the winningest in program history.



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