Matt Sates and Chad le Clos will spearhead a team of 16 South African swimmers who will dive into the first leg of the Fina World Cup series in Berlin this weekend.
Le Clos is a four-time overall winner of the World Cup series while Sates is the current defending champion, having broken two world junior records (in the 200m individual medley and 200m freestyle) on his way to the title last year.
The World Cup series will consist of three events this year, kicking off in Berlin (21-23 October) and then moving to Toronto, Canada (28-30 October) and Indianapolis, USA (3-5 November). The short course series, contested in a 25m pool, has traditionally been an attractive one for cash-strapped South African swimmers, thanks to the significant prize money. A total of 10 out of the last 16 overall men’s titles have been won by SA swimmers.
This year will be an even more alluring prospect with US$1.2 million on offer. Additional bonuses of $10 000 are up for grabs for new world records and a further $10 000 for those swimmers who can win the same event at all three legs of the competition.
Sates claimed an impressive 13 gold medals in the series last year to clinch the overall title, but is coming off a somewhat disappointing performance at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham where he failed to reach the podium.
“The Commonwealth Games was tough after being sick for a few weeks before the Games. But I know I can bounce back,” said Sates. “Short course is always fun to race… I am feeling confident, but I know there are many guys swimming fast, so I just look forward to racing them again.”
The 19-year-old Pietermaritzburg swimmer is trying not to focus on the pressure of heading into the series as defending champion.
“I try not to worry too much about that kind of thing. I just want to keep focused on my races and doing the best I can,” he said.
Well-accustomed to the pressures of defending titles is 30-year-old Le Clos, who is back in the water after sinus surgery.
“I’m feeling good. I haven’t been in the water long – only four weeks – but I’m slowly building up to next season and hopefully the world short course champs. So I’m not expecting too much but I’m very excited to be with the team,” said Le Clos who recently moved to Frankfurt to train with renowned German coach Dirk Lange.
“Obviously Matt was phenomenal last season so we’re hoping he can do his best to try and defend his title, that would be fantastic. I’ve won it four times so I know what it’s like to come back and defend it. It’s usually quite difficult but I really believe – like I’ve said many times – Matt is an absolute superstar and a stud and he has all the potential to go all the way, not only at the World Cup but Olympics and beyond, so I’m wishing him all the best.”
The World Cup series acts as the perfect warm-up for those looking to excel at the World Short Course Championships in Melbourne, Australia from 13-18 December. Sates missed out on the championships in 2021, because of the travel ban imposed on South Africans after the discovery of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
Asked how the World Cup series fits into his plans for this year’s Melbourne event, Sates explained: “I just want to focus on my race strategy and refining that, so that I have a solid base when it comes to racing in Australia in December.”
The first leg of the Fina World Cup will be broadcast live on SuperSport – SS Variety 2 from Friday, 21 October.
South African swimmers competing at the first leg of the Fina World Cup in Berlin:
Ryan Coetzee, Morgan Cope, Emma de Wet, Milla Drakopoulos, Simon Haddon, Clayton Jimmie, Abigail Kotze, Chad le Clos, Taylor Luck, Tai Pearson, Matt Sates, Keeno Swarts, Cameron Thompson, Thomas Truter, Carissa van Rooyen, Emily Visagie.