How does an open water race finish?
B · Beginner · The race · 4 of 4The last stretch is a funnel of buoys that narrows to a finish plate at least 5 m wide. Where there is a plate, a swimmer must touch it to finish, and one who does not is disqualified. The chief referee decides the places from the finish judges' report and the video of the finish.
How it works
- The funnel: the area leading to the finish is marked by rows of buoys that narrow towards the finish wall. They form the boundary of the course.
- The plate: where possible, "a finish plate at least 5 metres wide", fixed so that wind, tide or a swimmer striking it cannot move it.
- The touch: "competitors must touch the finish plate to finish the race. Any competitor who does not touch the finish plate will be disqualified."
- Places: "determined by the Chief Referee based upon the Finish Judges' report and the finish video tape".
- Video: the finish is filmed from each side and from above, with slow motion and timing. That is mandatory at the Olympic Games and World Aquatics events.
- Decision review: extra cameras cover the whole funnel. A video review judge reviews every finish from the funnel entrance to the plate and reports violations to the chief referee.
- Transponders: a swimmer must finish with at least one of their two wrist transponders, or they are disqualified.
- Out of the water: a member of the medical team should look at each swimmer as they leave the water.
Tricky cases
A swimmer passes under the finish arch without touching the plate. Have they finished?
No. Where a finish plate is used, a swimmer who does not touch it is disqualified.
Two swimmers touch together. How is the winner decided?
By the chief referee, from the finish judges' report and the video of the finish.
A swimmer obstructs a rival inside the finish funnel. Can they be penalised after the race?
Yes. The video review judge reports violations in the funnel, and the chief referee considers them after the race.
A swimmer loses both transponders in the last kilometre. Does their finish count?
No. A swimmer who finishes without at least one transponder is disqualified. A lost one should be reported so that it can be replaced during the race.
Why the rule exists
After two hours a race can come down to a hand's width between swimmers arriving in a bunch. A wide plate that must be touched gives one clear moment for each swimmer, and cameras from three sides let the order be checked. The funnel is filmed as well because the last 50 m is where swimmers are most tempted to pull and block.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Aquatics rules | As above | OWS 6; OWS 9.1.2; OWS 9.4 |
| No finish plate | The finish is still marked by a vertical face | OWS 9.1.2.3 |
| Pool swimming | Each swimmer stops their own clock on a touch panel in their lane | Swimming Rules 11.1 |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Three: Open Water Swimming Rules (in force as from 1 January 2025), Articles 3.6, 3.7, 3.17, 6.1 to 6.9, 9.1.2 and 9.4. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).