BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series Open Water Challenge has reset the clock. Expectations are raised. In the afterglow of the 2012 London Olympics, the Swimming Australia-sanctioned multi-race open water event is taking the sport to the next level. Together with title sponsor BHP Billiton and Eventscorp, the events division of Tourism Western Australia, the Aquatic Super Series Open Water Challenge is setting the bar…high. Very very high.
On January 20th 2013 in Perth, Western Australia, the world’s fastest and most experienced open water swimmers will race over a 2.5 km loop course in the Swan River for the $15,000 first prize awarded to the quickest man and woman.
But that generous prize money is not the extent of the financial incentives. What is unusual and the next evolution of the sport is the scope of the prize money offered. There will be over $100,000 in total cash prizes offered to top swimmers ages from 18 – 99 years.
Everyone will have a chance at the big money in Perth’s Swam River. The prize money is offered by division, age and distance (see below). With BHP Billiton as the title sponsor, the event has resurfaced the face of the sport, creating an extravaganza that is expected to be second to none in terms of financial resources, organization, media attention and government support.
In an innovative schedule, the open water events will be hosted and marketed together with a world-class pool swimming competition, pitting the Australians vs. the Chinese and South Africans as well as two international water polo matches and a series of elite and mass participation open water races. This combination of world-class aquatic stars and disciplines will effectively leverage the investments in time and resources made.
The prize money includes the following:
$15,000 for the men’s 10 km open
$15,000 for the women’s 10 km open
$4,000 for the 18-24 male 10 km
$4,000 for the 18-24 female 10 km
$4,000 for the 25-40 male 10 km
$4,000 for the 25-40 female 10 km
$4,000 for the 41-55 male 10 km
$4,000 for the 41-55 female 10 km
$4,000 for the 56-99 male 10 km
$4,000 for the 56-99 female 10 km
$2,500 for the 18-24 male 5 km
$2,500 for the 18-24 female 5 km
$2,500 for the 25-40 male 5 km
$2,500 for the 25-40 female 5 km
$2,500 for the 41-55 male 5 km
$2,500 for the 41-55 female 5 km
$2,500 for the 56-99 male 5 km
$2,500 for the 56-99 female 5 km
$1,500 for the 18-24 male 2.5 km
$1,500 for the 18-24 female 2.5 km
$1,500 for the 25-40 male 2.5 km
$1,500 for the 25-40 female 2.5 km
$1,500 for the 41-55 male 2.5 km
$1,500 for the 41-55 female 2.5 km
$1,500 for the 56-99 male 2.5 km
$1,500 for the 56-99 female 2.5 km
$1,000 for the 18-24 male 1.25 km
$1,000 for the 18-24 female 1.25 km
$1,000 for the 25-40 male 1.25 km
$1,000 for the 25-40 female 1.25 km
$1,000 for the 41-55 male 1.25 km
$1,000 for the 41-55 female 1.25 km
$1,000 for the 56-99 male 1.25 km
$1,000 for the 56-99 female 1.25 km
Prize pack for the 18-24 male 500m
Prize pack for the 18-24 female 500m
Prize pack for the 25-40 male 500m
Prize pack for the 25-40 female 500m
Prize pack for the 41-55 male 500m
Prize pack for the 41-55 female 500m
Prize pack for the 56-99 male 500m
Prize pack for the 56-99 female 500m
Prizes for Juniors 17 years and under in the 500m, 1.25 km, 2.5 km, 5 km, 10 km
$6,000 donated to charity for Team Challenge
Greg Towle, Swimming Australia’s national open water swimming team who played an integral part of the planning, explains, “In this inaugural year, we offer a complimentary entry to any elite open water swimmer who is a member of a national governing body recognized by FINA. Interested governing bodies, coaches or individuals can nominate swimmers by contacting Liz Avery. Please visit www.aquaticsuperseries.com.au for more information, including race times, course maps, and other events for non-elite athletes.”
Back in 1991, Western Australia similarly uplifted the sport with its inaugural integration of the 25 km race at the FINA World Swimming Championships that drew tens of thousands to Swam River. 22 years after that evolution in the sport, Western Australia, BHP Billiton, Eventscorp and Swimming Australia is delivering another gift to the open water swimming community.
Australia raised and exceeded expectations in the open water swimming world in 1991. BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series Open Water Challenge will do so again in 2013.
Copyright © 2012 by Open Water Source