The second meet of the 2001 Mare Nostrum Series got underway at Canet en Roussillon with the XIV Arena International meet on Tuesday evening.

The three - day program started off with the freestyle distance events and with the influx of more international stars to the Series, some exciting racing is anticipated.

In the ladies 800m freestyle it was Irena Oupimtseva from Russia who set the early pace and after 300m had already established 5-second lead over the chasing pack. Japans