Chris Mooney’s tightknit squad of Bull Sharks will become rivals as Australia's newest swimming competition brings a fresh twist to traditional race meets.
Six of Mooney’s charges will line up alongside some of the sport’s biggest names in the inaugural Swim GP in Melbourne on Friday and Saturday nights where they’ll trade their usual individual pursuits for a fast-paced, team-based competition.
Flynn Southam, Ben Armbruster, Josh Collett, Gideon Burnes, Jesse Coleman, and Claudia Fydler will compete in elimination skins, mystery medleys, checkpoint races, and mixed relays.
Collett will join Armbruster in Team Wahoo while Southam will captain Team Kingtide, which includes Burnes, Coleman and Fydler.
Collett was recently selected in the Dolphins squad for December’s World Short Course Championships in Beijing following his national record in the 100m breaststroke at the Australian Short Course Championships, and he is excited to put in a strong showing ahead of China.
“My current preparation is centred around World Short Course, so taper hasn’t started just yet,” Collett said.
“Swim GP will double as race practice and the last hard couple of training days before tapering.
“I’m going to put my hand up for as many events and relays as possible and treat it as a super hard session so that I have the largest body of work to taper from.”
An elimination skins event will see swimmers race consecutive 50m sprints, with the slowest eliminated after each round until only two remain.
In the mystery medley, the order of strokes will be determined by a roulette wheel, while the 400m checkpoint freestyle will reward swimmers for their positions throughout the race rather than just at the finish.
Teams will also have an opportunity to nominate a Power Play event each night, doubling the points available for a victory.
“I personally love the team element and always get an extra lift when it’s for the team,” Collett said.
“Events are slightly off the wall so I’m going in with no expectations.
“I’m most looking forward to the ‘breaststroke skins’ elimination rounds.”
Though the majority of Collett’s teammates will present direct opposition, he insists any Bull Sharks success is shared.
“Our crew has had a really good year with quite a few of us making our respective breakthroughs - it’s been surreal to be a part of,” Collett said.
“Full credit to coach Moons.
“Individual success is one thing but success across the board like we’ve had isn’t just a coincidence, but a testament to his good work.
“I’m excited to watch my Bull Sharks teammates rip in at Swim GP and over the next 12 to 18 months.”
Swim GP racing begins 7.30pm Melbourne time on Friday and Saturday, with the competition broadcast on the Nine Network.