Photo by Delly Carr
ADELAIDE – Swimming Australia will pick its roster for the short course world championships this week at their national championships, where several established names are likely to breeze through while many new faces could emerge as rising talents.
Long course world champions James Magnussen and Cate Campbell will not be racing in Adelaide this week, as both are tending to injuries that plagued them for most of 2014. In their places are two strong sprinters who will carry the banner well. Cate’s younger sister Bronte will race the 50 and 100 freestyles, while Cameron McEvoy will look to win titles in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyles. Bronte was part of the world record-setting 400 free relay at the Commonwealth Games and won silver medals in the 100 free at the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific championships behind her big sister. McEvoy had a breakout year, winning the 100 free at the Pan Pacific championships.
Also not racing is Christian Sprenger, who skipped Pan Pacs with a major shoulder injury. That will severely dilute the men’s breaststroke races in Adelaide, though Jake Packard’s breakthrough swims at Pan Pacs make him a strong contender this week.
Mitch Larkin recently set the Australian record in the 200 short course backstroke at the Beijing stop of the World Cup last month and will look to qualify for worlds in all three backstroke events. He’ll have competition in the sprint backstrokes from Bobby Hurley, who once held the world record in the 100 backstroke, and Olympian Ashley Delaney.
Emily Seebohm and Belinda Hocking will continue their backstroke rivalry in the pool after going 1-2 in the 100 and 200 distances at Pan Pacs. Seebohm will look for the backstroke triple, as she is entered in all three distances. The men’s distance events will be without top star Mack Horton, but will be filled adequately with the presence of Jordan Harrison and Jarrod Poort. As for the women, Jessica Ashwood and Katie Goldman will look to bring some firepower to the 800 and 1500 freestyles.