Australia gave further evidence of their status as a growing open water superpower with a dominant victory in the 4x1500m mixed relay event on the second day of the World Aquatics Open Water Cup in Hong Kong.
Moesha Johnson – who claimed the women’s 10km crown on day one – led out the Australian quartet, with team-mates Jacqueline Davison-McGovern, Thomas Raymond and Kyle Lee combining to finish in a time of one hour, 10 minutes and 53.10 seconds.
‘Brazil 1’ completed the race 9.10 secs slower, with USA just over 20 secs further back and rounding off the podium places with third.
The race featured 11 teams from seven nations, with ‘Australia 2’ placing fourth, ahead of China.
How It Happened – 4x1500m Mixed Relay
A typhoon warning had heavily impacted preparations ahead of the 10km events on the opening day and also resulted in tricky conditions once racing began, but while wind was of less concern 24 hours later, the sun presented a new challenge.
With the water at Repulse Bay measured at around 28 degrees Celsius it meant staying cool would be difficult for the swimmers as they sprinted around the 1500m course.
The pre-event favourites all opted for the traditional line-up with their two female athletes heading out first, before handing over to their male team-mates to complete the race.
However, some of the emerging nations decided to alternate their tactics and this allowed the Republic of Korea to take the lead after the first leg, which was swum by Park Jaehun.
Johnson was just 11 secs back and already powering her nation clear of rivals Brazil and the USA.
They each had A-list talents of their own though, with Olympic medallists Katie Grimes and Claire Weinstein pulling the USA to within 12 seconds of ‘Australia 1’ at the halfway stage.
Regular World Cup medal-winner Viviane Jungblut and Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Ana Marcela Cunha kept Brazil in contention too, before their men dove in for the second half of the race.
Raymond (AUS) had led for the majority of the men’s race on the opening day before being overtaken in the closing stages, but there was to be no repeat of that in the relay event with the 21-year-old giving team-mate Lee a near ten second lead heading into the final leg.
Little separated Luiz Felipe Loureiro (BRA) and Dylan Gravley (USA) in the battle for silver at that stage, but a crucial move by Leonardo Brandt De Macedo (BRA) saw him put crucial metres between himself and rival Luke Ellis (USA) in the closing stages.
Lee held his pace – and nerve – to secure the victory for Australia.
This latest success adds to their gold at the 2023 season-ending World Cup in Funchal (POR) and maiden World Championship relay title at Doha 2024.
What They Said After The Race
Moesha Johnson (AUS) – “The wind was still up at the back (of the course) and there were some choppy waves out there, plus the sun was also quite bright, so the water was warm which made keeping cool a little challenging.
“The race is also mixed genders so that is always interesting, but it’s been fantastic. It’s my first time in Hong Kong and I’ve really enjoyed it.”
Jacqueline Davison-McGovern (AUS) – “The weather today was a lot nicer than yesterday; the sun is out and it was great to race again.”
Thomas Raymond (AUS) – “I was pretty sore after racing yesterday but I’m definitely really happy with that. The tactic was to stay strong the whole way through really and we did a really good job today.”
Kyle Lee (AUS) – “I want to say a huge thank you to the organisers because everyone has been super friendly and it was a beautiful venue.”
What Is Still To Come In 2024
The 2024 World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup season will conclude with the women’s and men’s 10km, as well as the 4x1500m mixed relay, at the fifth leg of the tour in Neom, Saudi Arabia, which runs from 22-23 November.