Clareburt & Fairweather Head To NZL Open Championships This Weekend

2023 NEW ZEALAND OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

The 2023 New Zealand Open Championships are set to begin on Saturday, April 1st with the five-day affair representing the primary qualification opportunity for this summer’s World Championships.

At the 2022 World Championships, New Zealand came up medal-less, despite having the likes of Lewis Clareburt and Erika Fairweather on its roster. Clareburt fell one spot shy of landing on the podium in Budapest, placing 4th in the men’s 400m IM. Fairweather’s highest finish came in the women’s 400m freestyle where she placed 6th.

Both national record holders are entered in this competition. 23-year-old Commonwealth Games Clareburt is expected to take on a paced schedule of 8 events including the 100m/200m/400m free, the 200m/400m IM, the 200m back and the 100m/200m fly.

19-year-old Fairweather, who took two silver medals at the 2022 Short Course World Championships, is set to compete in the 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle races.

Additional racers to keep one’s eyes on is multi-national record holder Helena Gasson (50m fly, 50m back), Eve Thomas (200m/400m/800m/1500m free), Zac Reid (200m/400m/800m free), and Luan Grobbelaar (100m/200m breast, 200m/400m IM).

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phelpsfan
11 months ago

Is this a qualifier for the 2024 Olympics? I’m just wondering.

Admin
Reply to  phelpsfan
11 months ago

It is not listed as one on the World Aquatics website.

Reply to  phelpsfan
11 months ago

It’s not. Selection meets for NZ are the 2024 World Championships and the 2024 NZ Swimming Championships in April 2024.

Ploki
11 months ago

At World championships Fairweather could go sub-4 minutes in the 400 free and not win a medal.

Last edited 11 months ago by Ploki
Troyy
Reply to  Ploki
11 months ago

Li Bingjie as well.

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Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having just earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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