THE second 2015 South African Swimming Grand Prix will be hosted from 20 to 22 February, at Kings Park Aquatics Centre. The event which is aimed at providing a high level competition for SA’s senior elite athletes, is part of Swimming SA’s long-term participant development programme for 2016 and 2020.
Olympic gold medalists Chad le Clos and Cameron van der Burgh will once again be the highlight of the competition, which started at the Stellenbosch University Swimming Pool last weekend.
Le Clos will be back in his home town, swimming the 100 and 200m butterfly as well as the 100 and 200m freestyle, following an impressive run of four wins at the event in Stellenbosch,
The 2015 SA Swimming Grand Prix will also host USA’s Michael Andrew. The 15 year-old recently broke USA’s National Age Group Record in the 100m breaststroke and won his first major competition, the 2015 Arena Pro Swim Series in Texas.
Andrew, who is in South Africa for three months, competing and visiting family, showed his great talent when he claimed first position three times, came second twice and was placed third place at the Grand Prix in Stellenbosch. He will aim to claim even more in Durban when he competes in nine events. Other contenders include the likes of Charl Crous.
On the womens side, 25 year-old Karin Prinsloo, who finished first in the 200m freestyle and 200m backstroke the previous weekend, will be looking to make a splash when she competes this weekend.
Michelle Weber will strive for fast times in her respective events, while Rene Warnes will feature in the 100 and 200m butterfly, the 200m freestyle as well as the 200 and 400m individual medley.
Finishing second in the 200m individual medley and the 100 and 400m freestyle in Stellenbosch, Marlies Ross will be looking to improve her performance in the 50, 100, 200 and 400m freestyle, the 200m individual medley and the 100m butterfly races.
The SA Swimming Grand Prix will also see Paralympians Kevin Paul, Charl Bouwer and Craig Groenewald take to the water.
The SA Swimming Grand Prix begins on tomorrow with a 5pm heat session, while the finals of the competition will be held on Saturday and Sunday at 10am.
