Courtesy: Swimming Australia
Victorians have the chance to catch all the action poolside as Australia’s swimming superheroes converge on Melbourne for the splash and dash, 2018 Hancock Prospecting Australian Short Course Championships taking place this 25 – 27 October.
Tickets go on sale today for the exciting short course event format which will be the first time in over 10 years that Melbourne has hosted a national swimming championship.
Melbourne’s own Mack Horton will have the home town support as he takes to the starting blocks of his home base at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC).
Sunshine Coast school girl Lani Pallister will be in diving in and looking to emulate her recent success at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships where she scooped three gold medals.
The fast-paced action will also include many of the stars from the recent Pan Pacific Championships in Tokyo and the Pan Pacific Para Championships in Cairns; including Ariarne Titmus, Ellie Cole, David Morgan and Kyle Chalmers and other local favorites such as Jess Hansen and Ahmed Kelly.
Swimming Australia has partnered with the Victorian State Government to cement the competition in Melbourne for the next four years – a coup for the sporting capital and swimming fans.
Swimming Australia Chief Executive Leigh Russell said: “Melbourne is seen as the home of sport in Australia, so it seems only fitting that they are now going to play host to one of our most exciting events in the swimming calendar.
“It is fantastic that Victorians are going to get the chance to see some of our brightest swimming stars in action as they compete for a spot at the World Short Course Championships in China this December.”
Minister for Sport, John Eren said the action would be fast and furious and the Andrews Labor Government was proud to support the event through its Significant Sporting Events Program.
“I encourage all Victorians to get down to MSAC and enjoy the spectacle of our country’s top swimmers battling it out in the 25 metre pool.”
Fans will have a chance to relax in Centre Lane, jump into the action at the Optus fan zone, get up-close to the swimmers at the meet and greets or indulge with gourmet food trucks.
Action on the 25 and 26 October begins at 10.30am daily for the heats sessions with finals kicking off at 6.30pm and on 27 October heats start at 9.30am and finals at 4.30pm.
Heats tickets start from $8 for kids and $10 for adults, finals tickets start from $10 for kids and $20 for adults, family tickets start from $20. On super Saturday, kids in superhero costumes will gain free entry to the venue. Buy your tickets online at www.swimming.org.au to avoid missing out.