With the 2014 Australian Short Course Championships just around the corner a group of ten swimmers will fit in some final race practise when they head to Asia to contest the FINA World Cups in Beijing, Tokyo and Singapore starting this Friday October 24.
Six swimmers will attend the first stop in Beijing over October 24 and 25, with Commonwealth Games gold medallist Mitch Larkin and silver medallists from their respective events Grant Irvine and Sally Hunter leading the charge.
At the next leg of the tour in Tokyo, October 28 and 29, they will be joined by super siblings David and Emma McKeon and Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Champion in the 200m freestyle Thomas Fraser-Holmes.
The Singapore leg will be the final stop for the swimmers with short course specialist Robert Hurley joining the Aussies abroad to test his skills over the two days of racing on November 1 and 2.
Swimming Australia Performance Director Michael Scott said the World Cups were a great opportunity for the swimmers to maintain momentum and test their short course skills against quality international competition.
“The swimmers have had a busy year with two major international competitions and will need to continue that momentum leading into the Australian Short Course Championships in November.
The World Cup legs in Asia allow our swimmers to work on their short course skills in a competitive race environment without having to travel too far,” Scott said.
Straight off the back of Singapore, the best swimmers from across Australia will unite at the SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre in Adelaide for the 2014 Australian Short Course Championships from Wednesday November 5 to Sunday November 9.
Fresh from their golden performances at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and Hancock Prospecting Pan Pacific Championships on the Gold Coast, the swimmers will fight for first place and a spot on the FINA World Short Course team.
For a copy of the start list for the 2014 Australian Short Course Championships please see attached.
For a full list of athletes competing at each leg of the FINA World Cup please see below:
Beijing October 24 and 25:
– Marieke D’Cruz
– Madi Wilson
– Mitch Larkin
– Grant Irvine
– Ned McKendry
– Sally Hunter
Tokyo October 28 and 29:
– Thomas Fraser-Holmes
– Marieke D’Cruz
– Madi Wilson
– Mitch Larkin
– Grant Irvine
– Ned McKendry
– Sally Hunter
– David McKeon
– Emma McKeon
Singapore November 1 and 2:
– Marieke D’Cruz
– Robert Hurley
– David McKeon
– Emma McKeon
Swimming News courtesy of Swimming Australia.
