RIO DE JANEIRO - The first stage of the 2000-2001 FINA World Cup got underway yesterday with prelims for the first day's events. The finals today at 10am in the morning. The unusual format of the what is a two day competition stretched over three is because of local Brazilian television. Today a local cable channel is transmitting live pictures, tomorrow Rede Globo (the biggest station in the country) will broadcast the second days finals live to Brazil at 9am. Swimming is among the top four most popular sports on televsion in Brazil.

Four (3 + 1 Tied) South American and Brazilians records were established after two sessions of this first World Cup competition.

Highlights of the first day:

Men:
100 FREESTYLE
David Jenkins (AUS) won the event in 48.95 from lane one, while local favourite Gustavo Borges (BRA) a close second in 49.01 from lane seven. Borges won this stage a year ago in 48.57.

400 FREESTYLE
It couldn't have been any closer as there was a tie for first with Robert Margalis (USA) and Luiz Lima (BRA) touching in identical times of 3:51.42. Bruno Bonfim (BRA) in third with 3:52.32.

100 BACKSTROKE
Beau Mannix (AUS) held on to win in 53.94 as Gordan Kozulj (CRO) in second with 53.99 and Raymond Hass (AUS in third with 54.01.

It was a first international medal for Mannix. Kozulj is more experienced and was a 200 backstroke finalists at the Syndey Olympics as well as the short course World Champion for the same distance.

50 BREASTSTROKE
After a record setting prelims yesterday Eduardo Fischer (BRA) and Morgan Knabe (CAN) tied for first with 28.19, slower than yesterday when Fischer did a 28.00 and Knabe 28.02. Fischer won last year here in Rio with 28.65.

200 BREASTSTROKE
Fabio da Silva (BRA) in first in 2:14.43 over Morgan Knabe (CAN) second with 2:15.13 and Henrique Barbosa (BRA) third with 2:15.84. Knabe tied for first in the 50 breast earlier.