Dolphins fly out to Dubai

Swimming Australia
Published: Dec 7, 2010 11:49:59 AM Updated: Dec 7, 2010 02:14:19 PM
In this article: Christian Sprenger, Brenton Rickard, Leisel Jones, Geoffrey Huegill,

The Telstra Dolphins Australian Swim Team will depart for their final campaign of 2010 tomorrow, Wednesday 8 December, when a 27-strong team flies to Singapore ahead of the 10^th FINA World Short Course Swimming Championships in Dubai.

Led by the experienced duo of Leisel Jones and Geoff Huegill, the team which also boasts world record holders Brenton Rickard and Christian Sprenger will spend three days in Singapore before heading to Dubai for the meet which starts on Wednesday 15 December.

Australia won eight gold medals at the 2008 World Short Course Swimming Championships in Manchester off the back of the Beijing Olympics, and 12 in 2006 to top the medal tally ahead of the USA.

Swimming Australia National Head Coach Leigh Nugent sees this year’s meet as an opportunity for those less experienced to race internationally and gain further experience in the lead up to London 2012.

“This is a major event for us and all World Championships are extremely important for Australia, whether they be long course, or short course,” said Nugent.

“These championships are important for experienced athletes who are trying to maintain their competitive edge, but it’s also important for some of those less experienced athletes to break into a national team and swim on the international stage.”

Australia may be without eight-time Commonwealth Games medal winner Emily Seebohm, who has decided to stay at home and rest, but short course specialists Marieke Guehrer and Felicity Galvez will be keen to improve on their rankings in the 25m pool, while some up and coming male sprinters will also get their opportunity to impress.

“Emily Seebohm was selected, but has suffered an element of fatigue following the Pan Pacs and Commonwealth Games and with her coach Matt Brown we’ve decided that it was best for her to withdraw from the team and have a bit of a break,” said Nugent.

“But in Marieke Guehrer, Felicity Galvez and Brenton Rickard we have some really good short course racers there, and short course is all about racing fast, getting the skills right, especially the underwater.”

“With guys like James Magnussen, Matt Abood and Kyle Richardson in the team, this meet will also be a good chance for our male sprinters to compete against the best in the world.”

The Australian team will include Kenneth To, Mitchell Dixon, Emma McKeon, Jade Neilsen, and Kotuku Ngawati as the five tyros representing the Telstra Dolphins for the first time at a senior level.

Sixteen-year-old Jayden Hadler, and McKeon will be the youngest male and female on the team, while McKeon’s father Ron McKeon, himself an Olympian will also make the trip to Dubai as a coach.

The 2010 FINA World Short Course Swimming Championships will be held at the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Sports Complex in Dubai from December 15-19.

For more information go to www.dubaiswimming2010.ae

Telstra Dolphins Australian Swim Team – Download Media Guide Here

Matthew Abood, Sydney University – NSW
Daniel Arnamnart, Aquaburn – NSW
Mitchell Dixon, SOPAC – NSW
Tommaso D’Orsogna, West Coast – WA
Jayden Hadler, Chandler – QLD
Geoff Huegill, SOPAC – NSW
James Magnussen, Macquarie University – NSW
Patrick Murphy, Melbourne Vicentre – VIC
Kyle Richardson, Chandler – QLD
Brenton Rickard, Southport Olympic – QLD
Christian Sprenger, Chandler – QLD
Kenneth To, Trinity Grammar – NSW
Ben Treffers, Burley Griffin – ACT
Christopher Wright, Chandler – QLD

Blair Evans, City of Perth – WA
Felicity Galvez, SOPAC – NSW
Rachel Goh, Melbourne Vicentre – VIC
Katie Goldman, Pro-Ma Miami – QLD
Marieke Guehrer, Melbourne Vicentre – VIC
Leisel Jones, Nunawading – VIC
Sarah Katsoulis, Nunawading – VIC
Emma McKeon, Wests Illawarra Aquatic – NSW
Jade Neilsen, Pro-Ma Miami – NSW
Kotuku Ngawati, Melbourne Vicentre – VIC
Kylie Palmer, Chandler – QLD
Leiston Pickett, Southport Olympic – QLD
Kelly Stubbins, Haileybury Waterlions – VIC