The 23-year-old was the pre-race favourite after claiming silver behind Britain's Kerri-Ann Payne at the World Championships in Shanghai last month and Grimaldi did not disappoint as she took victory in the morning in a time of two hours 02min 49.5sec.

Eva Fabian of the United States claimed silver in a time 2:02:50.0 while Brazil's Poliana Okimoto surged down the finish to take third in 2:02:51.2 in race that Payne missed because she is currently recovering after her world title performance. 

"It has been very well organised," said Grimaldi, who is likely to be Payne's biggest gold medal challenger at the 2012 Olympics.

"I think for London this has been a very good test event.

"There will be lots more people next year and I will be excited to swim here again next year."

In the afternoon men's race 21-year-old Canadian Richard Weinberger, who has not yet qualified for London 2012, took a surprise gold medal ahead of a world class field as he finished in 1:50.49.8.

Thomas Lurz of Germany, who claimed bronze at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, finished in second place in 1:51.16.0 while current world champion Spyros Gianniotis of Greece had to settle for bronze in 1:51.16.1.

"Now I really have my heart set on making the Olympic team next year," said Weinberger, who only just missed out on a top ten finish in the event at the World Championship which would have seen him qualify for the Olympic event at the Serpentine.

"I set some new goals after World Championships and I really want to be a podium contender at these Olympics."


In total, the one day invitational event welcomed 60 elite athletes and followed the exact same route that will be used for the 2012 Olympic with six laps of the 1.67 kilometre Serpentine Lake course.

The race was also free to view for spectators who turned out in big numbers to watch and David Luckes, the London 2012 Head of Sport Competition, said the event had been another success for the London Prepares series which is the name being given to the test event for the Games.

"The marathon swim is now the 13th test event we have completed this summer," said Luckes.

"Another iconic London venue, another chance for spectators to see world-class international sport for free and another chance for us to test vital aspects of the event.

"We have done that successfully today, looking specifically at athlete flows, how the course is laid out and the intermediate timing points and also how LOCOG teams have operated today, alongside the International Swimming Federation, to stage the event."

Steve Edwards, Park Manager of Hyde Park for The Royal Parks added: "Hyde Park has made a spectacular venue for this test event and in 2012 it is going to make a great setting for the Marathon Swimming competition.

"The Royal Parks has been working closely with LOCOG on their plans for this test event and for the Games next summer.

"There will be 11 Olympic and Paralympic events across six Royal Parks and we're delighted to be playing such a central role in helping to deliver the London 2012 Games."

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