Late changes and rivals reloaded at Swim GP in Melbourne

The battle lines have been redrawn ahead of Swim GP, with last-minute team changes adding fresh intrigue to some of the sport’s fiercest rivalries when racing begins at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) starting tomorrow Friday.

Swim GP will feature four teams racing for points over two high-energy nights designed for fans-first engagement, maximum excitement and nail-biting finishes.

Sam Short (Team Wahoo, pictured) and Flynn Southam (Team KingTide) have thrown down the gauntlet with the freestyle sensations set to go head to head.

Making her return to swimming after missing the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Championships due to illness, Tsumani’s Kaylee McKeown admitted to be a little nervous to be back competing.

The Kraken team have had the biggest shake up, with Olympic stars Kyle Chalmers and Mollie O’Callaghan a medical withdrawal. Chalmers has been forced to rest as he navigates lower back pain, with O’Callaghan suffering foot cellulitis.

But the Kraken team will still benefit from Chalmers’ experience out of the pool, the 28 year old in Melbourne to support Kraken teammates including Alex Perkins, a five-time gold medallist at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Backstroke rising star and Junior World Champion Ainsley Trotter (Bond University) and local Melbourne boy James Ward (Caulfield) will step into the team.

FLASH QUOTES

Sam Short (Wahoo) said: “This is a great opportunity to get some racing in like high intensity, fun, fast. So, Swim GP will set me up quite well I think for short course world championships in a couple of weeks’ time in China.

“I love racing the best and I get to try and push myself as best I can. And I’m also a team captain, so I get to lead the future of Swimming Australia as well.

“It’s a new format. It’s exciting for swimming in Australia and the number of athletes here is huge and the opportunities for up-and-coming athletes are there … I think this will only grow in years to come leading into Brisbane 2032.”

Kaylee McKeown (Tsunami) said: “My body is slowly getting back there. I mean, it’s a never-ending roller coaster at the moment but I’m just excited to get back in the pool and start racing.

“I’m a little bit nervous as you would be when you haven’t raced in a bit. So, I am glad that there’s no times (just points) that are being posted.”

Kyle Chalmers (Kraken) said: “I’ve been in the pool and I’ve been training, but, after my most recent MRI with my doctor, we’ve decided having six weeks of no swimming is probably going to be the best just to rehab my back and get on top of it.

“I think it’s important to come along and show my support for Swim GP and be part of a team environment, which is something that I’ve always loved throughout my swimming career.”

Alex Perkins (Kraken) said: “It always can be a bit intimidating swimming with some of the people you’ve looked up to your whole swimming career. So, I think Swim GP creates a really nice environment for everyone to get to know each other … and hopefully, they can walk out of here with some really good memories and takeaways.

“I think the way that the teams will get around each other is going to be really exciting to watch. Hopefully the crowd can really get into it as well. Having everyone involved will be really special for our sport. There’s a whole bunch of events (on the Swim GP program) and something for every one.”

Tickets are still on offer for Friday 13 November, with Saturday 14 November sold out. Racing starts at 7:30pm AEDT each night – live and free on Nine and 9Now.