Open water swimmers Jarrod Poort and Kareena Lee take next steps to Rio
Swimming Australia, February 14, 2016: Chelsea Gubecka and Kareena Lee have scored a Queensland Sunshine Coast quinella in the women’s 10km Open Water Australian Swimming Championships in Mooloolaba today in their next step towards the Rio Olympic Games.
Gubecka confirmed her status as Australia’s number one Olympic contender, winning the gold medal, while Lee showed why she will be hot on her heels when they line up in the final Olympic qualifying race in Portugal in June. Japan's Yumi Kida, who was well placed for the entire race, claimed a fast finishing third.
While the USA’s Jordan Wilimovsky, showed why he will be the boy to beat in Rio, swimming away from the best field ever assembled in an Australian Championship, to win gold in the men’s race.
Wilimovsky, from Santa Monica, cleared away from Jack Burnell (Great Britain) while Australia’s London Olympian Jarrod Poort (Wests Illawarra) kept his Rio chances alive, finishing third, ahead of fellow Australians Rhys Mainstone (fourth), Simon Huitenga (eighth), Sam Sheppard (11th) and George O’Brien (12th).
The Sunshine Coast girls, along with Poort and WA’s Simon Huitenga will all represent the Australian Dolphins team in Portugal.
Gubecka and Huitenga had already booked their places, courtesy of their performances at last year’s World Championships while Lee and Poort will join their good friends in the two-pronged attack for a place on the Olympic team.
The first Australian male and female to finish in the top 9 or the first Oceania qualifier will take the nomination.
Gubecka said she wanted to make sure she ticked every box before Portugal.
“It was my first 10km race for the year and wanted to make sure I started out on the right foot,” said Gubecka.
“My training has been going really well and we’ve been working on changing my pace, my drop dead speed, not flat out but enough to perhaps break the pack and I knew here in Australia that’s probably a better tactic.
“Internationally I won’t be able to do that but it’s certainly a very good confidence booster leading in to the next races.
“Confidence is a huge thing. It’s important to feel confident and to do everything you can to try and make the team.”
Gubecka said swimming in her own backyard made it a special occasion all round.
“I’ve got a lot of my friends and family here so it’s very humbling to have them all here. This is my playground and no one is supposed to stop me on my turf, right….”
And on having good friend Kareena Lee alongside her in the race to Rio?
“Kareena is fantastic and I’ve been on the team with her for a couple of years now; we are room mates and we used to train together and we are 10 minutes down the road from each other so it’s just fantastic to have two local girls on the team.”
Lee was excited to get through the race, knowing she had to put on a solid showing for the selectors.
“I wanted to make sure I put together the best possible race to give myself a real chance but Chelsea just had too much today,” said Lee.
“But to get the opportunity to join Chelsea in Portugal and to have two Australians in with a shot is very exciting, I can’t wait.”
Poort knew he had to keep one eye on the likes of Wilimovsky and Canadian London Olympic bronze medallist Richard Weinberger and another on his Australian team mates.
“It was so good having all the internationals here, adding a touch of class to this race and with the Australians providing a race within the race,”said Poort.
“I knew I had to keep an eye on the Australian boys and have something in the tank for that final burst.
“I felt good with two laps to remaining and was confident I had plenty let to be able to dig deep in the final stages.
“It’s been a long process and now I’ll get the chance to race Simon in Portugal. We are room mates and best mates but there can only be one winner and one spot up for grabs for Rio.”
The three-day Championships will conclude at Mooloolaba Beach today (Sunday) with the Open Men’s and Women’s 5km and Age Group 5km starting from 8am.
2016 Australian Open Water Swimming Championships, Mooloolaba
MEN
10km
Open J Wilimovsky (USA) 1:59.27 J Burnell (GBR) 1:59.32 J Poort (Wests Illawarra, NSW) 1:59.35
17-18 years B Armstrong (Miami, QLD) 2:00.42 K Edwards (TSS Aquatics) 2:02.12 N Sloman (Noosa) 2:04.06
16 years J Brazier (Kawana Waters, QLD) 1:59.47 R Kennedy (Perth City WA) 2:05.43 N Robinson St Peters Western, QLD) 2:06.14
15 years M Osborn (TSS Aquatics) 2:04.43 H Cotter (Lawnton, QLD) 2:06.07 S Priscott (NZL) 2:14.26
14 years S Rutley (St Peters Western, QLD) 2:12.12 R Beale (Uni NSW. NSW) 2:13.25 D Mcareavey (Kawana Waters, QLD) 2:14.53
5km
13 years C Eade (Albany Creek, QLD) 1:10.08 D Lopez (Campbelltown, NSW) 1:10.14 K Watson (Redlands, QLD) 1:11.22
WOMEN
Open
10km
Open C Gubecka (Kawana Waters, QLD) 2:04.29 K Lee (Mountain Creek, Mooloolaba, QLD) 2:06.08 Y Kida (Japan) 2:06.12
17-18 Years A Colombini (TSS Aquatics, QLD) 2:14.34 N Bourke (Wests Illawarra, QLD) 2:15.38 E Gillingham (Canberra) 2:16.40
16 years C McClelland (MLC Aquatic, VIC) 2:15.06 B Crisp (TSS Aquatics) 2:15.12 S Farrell (Campbelltown, NSW) 2:21.25
15 years M Armstrong (Miami, QLD) 2:15.12 M Bird (Mountain Creek Mooloolaba, QLD) 2:15.25 N Conyngham (TSS Aquatics, QLD) 2:16.38
14 years M Brazier (Kawana Waters, QLD) 2:17.20 A Fowler (Redcliffe Leagues, QLD) 2:18.33 C Green (Perth City, WA) 2:31.55
5km
13 years C Gubecka (Kawana Waters, QLD) 1:08.20 A Tilly (Kawana Waters, QLD) 1:11.48 A Hurd (Helensvale, QLD) 1:12.52
Issued on behalf of Swimming Australia by
Ian Hanson| Media Manager
Ian Hanson| Media Manager Triathlon Australia Managing Director
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