Swimming Australia has released details and rosters for the upcoming team-based Swim GP meet in Melbourne on November 13 and 14.
Team Kraken, Wahoo, KingTide and Tsunami will race for points and bragging rights (no prize money was announced) under the lights. The meets will feel similar to the base established by the International Swimming League, but will also incorporate a few wrinkles including fan voting for relays, bonus points, and “coaches calls.”
Rosters include some of Australia’s biggest names, like Kyle Chalmers, Kaylee McKeown, Zac Stubblety-Cook, and Mollie O’Callaghan. The most conspicuous absences are Somerville House teammates Cam McEvoy, and Elijah Winnington.
Swim GP Rosters
Each roster includes 20 athletes: two Platinum athletes, the biggest stars who were pre-selected; and four Paralympians.
KingTide
Kraken
Wahoo
Tsunami
Swim GP Rules
ELIMINATION SKINS
The pressure is on in this back-to-back elimination sprint battle.
Held over 50m in each of the four form strokes – freestyle, backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke – it’s a fast-finishing fight to stay in.
The slowest to touch the wall in each heat/round is eliminated, until only two athletes remain for the third and final round.
How it works:
- Heats: Eight athletes are split across two heats of four. The two slowest in each heat are eliminated, claim 1 point for last and 2 points for second last. The two fastest from each heat advance to Round 1.
- Round 1: Four athletes race. The slowest is eliminated and claims 5 points. The other three advance.
- Round 2: Three athletes race. The slowest is eliminated and claims 6 points. The final two advance.
- Round 3: The final two athletes race for the win. The winner wins 10 points and second place claims 7 points.
The pressure doesn’t stop at the wall because a two-minute clock is ticking.
The faster you swim, the more time you have to recover, reset and get ready to race again.
The winner of each stroke’s skins will face the other three skins winners on Saturday night in the Skins Champions’ Race. With one lane for each stroke and staggered starts, it’s the ultimate final showdown.
RELAYS
One lane per team. Time to go all in.
The points on the line for relay events are: 1st = 10pts, 2nd = 7pts, 3rd = 5pts, 4th = 3pts
Fans Choice: Mixed 4x50m Mystery Relay GF
Versatility is key in this one. With the relay teams already locked in, the fans have the power to choose if they will be racing a freestyle or medley 4x50m relay. The winning vote is revealed as the athletes get ready behind the blocks.
Fans Choice: Mixed 4x25m Freestyle Relay
Bring a poncho for this ultimate splash and dash. Fans will vote if a male or female athlete will dive in first for the mixed 4x25m freestyle relay.
Fans Choice: Para & Able-Bod Mixed 4x50m Freestyle Relay
A unique combo of para and able-bod action. Fans will vote on who the two able-bod swimmers (one male, one female) for each team will be in this event. The race order kicks off with a male para swimmer.
BESPOKE EVENT BREAKDOWNS
Points awarded for individual events, including Champions’ Race, the 25m freestyle sprint and mixed 100m multi-class events, will be: 1st = 5pts, 2nd = 3pts, 3rd = 2pts, 4th = 1pt
200m Mystery Medley
A 200m individual medley but the order of strokes is decided right then and there at the blocks from a live roulette wheel. Don’t look away as each lane will have a different “medley” order.
400m Speed Challenge
In the men’s and women’s 400m freestyle, it’s not just about the final touch – every lap counts! The leader at each 100m checkpoint will claim bonus points.
POWER PLAYS
Each team has one Power Play per night in their arsenal. They can activate a Power Play just prior to the event and whoever wins the event claims the double points.
Also to note:
- Fan voting is open to spectators attending only with instructions on how to vote – thus deciding relay compositions – provided on the night.
- The TOs will be watching closely with DQ decisions to be made on the spot. Decisions are final – no ability to challenge or review the replay.
- No official results or records can be made at this event as it is not a World Aquatics approved meet.
