There was a lot of prize money at stake at today’s BHP Aquatic Super Series in the “Swim the Swan” 10K open water event, $17,000 for the winner and $10,000 for the second place finisher; but there was a l0t at stake for USA’s Ashley Twichell too, it was her first 10K race since moving back to her college stomping grounds of North Carolina to train with iX3[sports]. Ashely definitely brought her “A Game” to the west coast of Australia for what is shaping up to be one of the premier money events in swimming. As we see more and more open water swims coming down to mere tenths of seconds between the leaders, Twichell’s win in the Swim the Swam 10K was a relative blow out over fellow American and reigning 5k world champion Haley Anderson. Twtichell covered the 10 kilometer distance in 2:03:51.27 over Anderson who finished in 2:04:17.41. Australian Chelsea Gubecka was third posting a 2:04:18.94. USA’s Emily Brunemann rounded out the lead pack in 5th place. By all appearances this was a good kick off for 2014 open water racing for the Americans. All three were in the prize money and are now gearing up for the beginning of the 2014 FINA Word Cup season.
On the men’s side Australian Jerrod Poort took top honors in 1:54:16.00, Simon Huitenga of Perth was second (1:54:19.59) with reigning Australian national champion Rhys Mainstone in 3rd (1:54:23.79). USA’s Alex Meyer was a strong 5th (1:54:35.67) and took home prize money too.
