Anna Voloshyna won the first gold medal of the inaugural FINA Synchronised Swimming World Series event in Paris today ©Getty Images

Ukraine's Anna Voloshyna claimed the first gold medal of the inaugural International Swimming Federation (FINA) Synchronised Swimming World Series event in Paris today. 

The London 2016 European Championships gold medallist was victorious with her routine score of 91.1267 points at the Stade Nautique Maurice-Thorez .

She was followed onto the podium by Japan's Yukiko Inui, a six time Asian Games silver medallist.

Inui took the silver medal with her score of 90.4774 while Canada's Jacqueline Simoneau rounded out the podium with her score of 88.8201.

“I felt very well in the water," said Voloshyna.

"This event is my first competition of the year and I am quite satisfied with my performance.

"It’s the fourth time that I take part in this event and it’s always a pleasure for me to come back."

Japan proved too strong in the technical team competition this evening.

They won the gold medal with a score of 91.9006.

Ukraine occupied second place on 89.4177 while China finished in third with a score of 86.7723.

Manila Flamini and Giorgio Minisini won the mixed free duet qualifying today ©FINA / FFN/ P. Pongenty
Manila Flamini and Giorgio Minisini won the mixed free duet qualifying today ©FINA / FFN/ P. Pongenty

Qualification action also took place in the today in the free duets and free mixed duets competition.

China's Wen Wen Jinag and Ting Ting Jiang led the free duet competition qualifying with a score of 92.6000.

The Italian duo of Manila Flamini and Giorgio Minisini won the free mixed duet qualification with 86.8667.

Finals in both of those events will take place tomorrow alongside solo free qualifying.

Sole, duet, mixed pairs and teams free finals will then all be held on Sunday (March 12).

The World Series is a new event seeking to integrate existing smaller synchro events from all over the world, with each leg staged in conjunction with existing national opens and competitions.

The Paris opener will be followed by the China Open in Taiyuan from April 22 to 24 and the Japan Open in Tokyo from April 28 to 30.

The Canada Open in Toronto is scheduled for May 2 to 7, while the Spanish Open is due to take place from May 26 to 28.

Rounding out the series will be the US Open in Long Island from June 22 to 24 and the Suv Parisi in Uzbekistan’s capital Tashkent on dates to be confirmed in August.

In order to be eligible for the final ranking and corresponding prize money, countries must enter their team in at least four of the 2017 meets.

Participation in the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest, from July 14 to 30, is also mandatory.