Back-to-Back Is Tough In The Open Water

At last year's World Swimming Championships, Melissa Gorman snatched victory in the 5K, but was not in the money in the 10K on the following day. Deja vu occurred again at the 2010 Australian Open Water Championships where Melissa won the 10K on Saturday, but failed to come back in today's 5K race.

Visiting New Zealander Cara Baker (shown above) won the race in 1:00:20 with 14-year-old Bonnie MacDonald unexpectedly second (and first Australian) in 1:00.27 time at Nagambie Lakes in Victoria. Danielle DeFrancesco, who was disqualified yesterday in the 10K race for losing both transponders, was third (second-placed Australian) in 1:00:29, with Samantha Hoschke-Edwards (1:00.33) fourth. Melissa was sixth.

Cara Baker, who previously won the New Zealand 10K national championships, appears to be ready to step up on the world's stage later this year at the 2010 World Open Water Swimming Championships.

Young teenager Bonnie said, "It was really a bit of a surprise as I didn't come in with high expectations, as there were so many great girls and world champions [like Melissa] in the race. I just can't believe it. As I'm still only 14, my coach is not heaping too much pressure on me to perform, so results like this are just a bonus and great motivation for the future."

On the men's side, Trent Grimsey reversed his fortunes from yesterday's sixth-place finish in the 10K and won the 5K race in 56:23. Using his trademark 6-beat kick and 88 stroke-per-minute pace, he pulled away from Andrew Beato (56:28) and David Browne (56:40).

"I knew [Andrew] was the freshest one in the field after not swimming the 10K yesterday and everyone else would wake up as sore as me, so I had to swim a smart race. To be honest this was the worst preparation I have ever had going into a major competition, so to get the 5K win today was great."

Even with all the unexpected surprises at the Australian Open Water Swimming Championships, the Australian and New Zealand teams will undoubtedly show up fit and ready to go at the 2010 World Open Water Swimming Championships this July in Quebec, Canada.

Copyright © 2010 by Steven Munatones