Team huddles, chants, and an appetite to race have created a real buzz on the final training day in Argentina, where athletes have been exploring the course and fine tuning their tactics ahead of the four-day competition.

The Boys 18-19 yrs 10km will kick off proceedings on September 3rd at 9:00am local time, followed by the girls’ edition at midday.

Ahead of the first day of competition, we spoke to some of the athletes to get a sense of how they’re feeling and their ambitions for this week.

Brinkleigh Hansen - USA

16-year-old Hansen has been making waves in the open water scene for some time, and returns this week to what she described as her ‘favourite’ type of racing.

“I'm so excited, junior competitions are my favorite. I've gained a new sense of confidence racing at some senior events, and they definitely haven't come easy; learning how to race with the ‘big dogs’.

“But I just think it has really transferred over. I’ve felt amazing in the pool, and I've really just stepped it up - so I'm really excited.”

Hansen has had a busy 2026 season so far, with highlights including a silver medal in the 10km at the USA Swimming Open Water National Championships and a top ten finish in the same event at the Pan Pacific Open Water Swimming Championships.

Hansen will compete in the 7.5km and 3km Knockout Sprint events this week; though her preparations were disturbed by an unfortunate injury she suffered while competing just two weeks ago.

“I got a concussion at Pan Pacs, so I've been kind of out of the water. I followed USA Swimming's protocol, so I've only been in the water for a week now, but I'm just so excited to race - it's beautiful here.”

Hansen Trio Take Santa Fe

Remarkably, Brinkleigh is one of three Hansen siblings competing in Santa Fe this week. Her older sister Karrington will line up in the Girls 18-19yrs 10km, while her younger brother Sawyer will compete in the Boys 14-15yrs 5km.

Speaking on racing with family and for Team USA, she said: “I'm definitely super excited. I get to do this alongside my siblings and some of my best friends.

“Racing for Team USA is so special, it’s something you never get used to. It’s such an honor every time I get to step behind the blocks or step on that dock and be representing Team USA.”

Ethan Parker - France

Another swimmer who has stepped firmly into the senior ranks this year is Frenchman Parker, who was recently crowned Men’s Junior Overall World Cup Leader for 2026.

Fresh from winning a bronze and gold medal at the more recent European Junior Open Water Championships, Parker spoke of his recent form and expectations for this week ahead of his first race, the 10km.

“We arrived a week ago in Argentina and it’s been really fun, we’re ready to race. The 10km [at Europeans] was a little bit disappointing for me. I was hoping to get a gold, but it's okay.

“I was really happy with the knockout, and now I just want to have fun and see what happens after the long season we had with every World Cup and the European Championships”

For Parker, who trains alongside open water veteran, Marc-Antoine Olivier, this event marks his last as a junior athlete.

“After this, I’ll move into senior - so I'm going to enjoy this last one. I'm lucky to train with a lot of great athletes like Marc Antoine Olivier, so I'm lucky to have that experience with the seniors. It has helped me as a junior, and we'll see what comes next.”

With water conditions set to be on the colder side this week, Parker explained that for him, the conditions don’t factor too much into his planning.

“I haven't been in the water yet but I think it's going to be wetsuits. So for me, it's okay, I don’t really mind - I just want to race.”

Parker will toe the startline in both the Boys 18-19yrs 10km and the Boys Open 3km Knockout Sprint event.

Mahila Spennato - Italy

16-year-old Spennato will be vying for her second World Junior podium this week, having previously won bronze at the 2024 edition in the Girls 5km.

The Italian will compete in the Girls 16-17yrs 7.5km and arrives in flying form - fresh from being crowned European Junior Champion in this event.

Speaking on her preparations for Santa Fe, Spennato said: “We spent a month swimming every day, two times a day, since our last Italian Championships.

“While the rest of Italy was on vacation, we were swimming and our coaches cheered us on to do our best every day.

“[Racing with Team Italy] is the best sensation ever because we are a great team. We are all proud of ourselves, and the coaches are proud of the work we’ve done too.”

The previous World Juniors event was extra special for Spennato as it was held on home soil (Alghero, Sardinia).

“Alghuero was special because it was in Italy,” she said. “But I like this venue and the city. I haven’t swam in water as cool as that but I'm feeling okay about the temperature.”

The 7.5km events will take place on day two of competition (September 4th) at 9:00am (Boys) and 11:30am (Girls) local time.

Bianca Monaco - Australia

Australia’s strength and depth in open water swimming has long been showcased on the world stage.

The team is reinforcing that strength this week with a record 10-athlete squad - the largest Australia has ever taken to a Junior Open Water Worlds.

One member of the 10-strong squad is Bianca Monaco, who will take to the startline of the Girls 18-19yrs 10km.

“This is my first one [World Juniors]. I just missed out on the 2024 team, so I’m super excited.

“It's the biggest Australian team that we've ever taken to a Junior Worlds. It’s such a strong team this year and everyone is so united, which is really great.”

“I's definitely in the Australian culture to all come together, have a bit of fun and always enjoy the process. And I think that's what Fernando [Head Coach] has definitely instilled in us. With the team Australia values, definitely being a team together is really important.

“I'm really excited to get out there and race. The course looks beautiful and it's set out perfectly for all of us athletes.”

‘Johnson is an Inspiring Mentor’

One Australian athlete at the very forefront of the sport is reigning World Champion, Moesha Johnson.

An athlete whose career has gone from strength to strength, Johnson is a clear source of inspiration for the sport’s younger generation.

“She is so inspiring,” said Monaco. “And she mentors all of us, she's always available to help us.

“Seeing her amazing results over so many open water events this year and through past years is incredibly inspiring.”

William Thorpe - Australia

16-year-old William Thorpe is another member of the record-sized Australian squad competing this week, and continues a long-standing family tradition in the sport.

He is one of three Thorpe brothers to have competed at an Open Water World Junior Championships, and follows in the footsteps of brothers Robert and Samuel who raced at the 2022 and 2024 editions, respectively.

“This is my first World Juniors and it’s really cool to follow through and go from watching when I was just 10 years old to now competing; it's a great experience from a swimmer's perspective.”

Speaking on his preparation, he said: “I feel very well prepared. Back at home in Australia, we've been training very hard for a couple months, so it's nice to feel good going into this race - I feel confident.

“We've been doing a lot of wetsuit training and I’m just excited to see what the race can hold, we’re very prepared for the conditions.”

Thorpe will compete in the Boys 16-17yrs 7.5km and U16 Mixed 4x1500m Relay, and said of competing alongside his teammates: “It's a big team, but we're also very close - it’s a very tight knit group. It's going to be a great week and it’s great to have these experiences together.”

Manoli Cassar - France

As France’s only female athlete, Manoli Cassar will be flying the flag for her nation in what will be her first World Junior Championships.

“I'm really happy to be here. I’ve competed twice at Europeans but this is my first Worlds, so I'm really excited to be here.”

Cassar is in strong form coming into this meet, having finished just outside the medals in the 10km at the recent European Junior Open Water Championships.

Speaking on her preparation, she said: “I feel super good. We did three weeks in altitude camp before coming here, so we have had a really good preparation.

“I feel ready to race and I want to be the best tomorrow, so I'm going to give everything I have.

It's a super nice experience and with different conditions than we usually have.”

Cassar will compete in both the Girls 18-19yrs 10km and the 3km Knockout Sprint event, with her main focus being on the former.

“So the last few months I’ve been getting ready for the 10km, I’ve been training to be ready for this event.

“I think I have some tactics ready in my head, but I will see with the race because even if you have a plan, it can change - so we will see.”