Johnson claims an historic open water gold at Pan Pacs

WORLD champion Moesha Johnson (pictured middle) continued her season of dominance to claim Australia’s first gold medal of the 2026 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.

It was another historic effort from Johnson whose controlled win in the women’s 10km delivered the Dolphins their first ever gold medal in open water swimming since the inaugural Pan Pacs meet in 1985.

Undefeated over this distance this year, the Olympic silver medallist led from the second lap but made her decisive move with two turns left on the final lap of six to pull away and win at Long Bay Marine Stadium at Long Beach, California.

As water temperature hovered around 25 degrees, the 28-year-old won comfortably in 1hr:55mins. 33 secs.

Japanese swimmers fought it out for second, with Airi Ebina (1:55.59) making a move in the final 200 metres to best countrywoman Ichika Kajimoto (1:56.07). They were the only two Japanese swimmers among the 22 entered in the race.

While American Becca Mann touched fourth (1:56.15), rookie Dolphin Jacqueline Davison-McGovern rounded out the lead pack with the St Peters athlete – dubbed the ‘ocean dolphin’ by coach Dean Boxall – fifth (1:56.17).

Australian teammates Tiana Kritzinger, in only her fourth 10km swim, finished 11^th and Chelsea Douyere 12^th.

Johnson, who will swim the 1500m on Day 1 of the pool competition, said: “It was quite a strong field of girls. They’re all very fit at the moment, and everyone’s in really good shape.”

“I had to keep an eye on where my heart rate and my effort was sitting. And, you know, Jackie (Davison-McGovern) was right there on my feet the whole way.

“And I really wanted to try and keep her there with me. But it wasn’t to be. I wanted to have a dominant race on American soil leading into LA 2028.

“It’s a great it’s first step to the Olympic cycle. I’m absolutely loving what I’m doing at the moment. I love my sport and I love representing my country … and I hope there is an opportunity for our sport to be there in 2032 whether it’s me or another proud Australian flying the flag in Brisbane.”

In the men’s 10km race, Germany’s multiple world champion Florian Wellbrock made his last minute flight to Los Angeles worthwhile, claiming gold.

Wellbrock was never not in control, stopping the clock in 1:49.51, seven seconds ahead of the field. Mexico’s Paulo Strelhke Delgado made a solid move with about 300 metres to touch second, Italy’s Dario Verani was third in 1:50.01.

There were few instances where Wellbrock wasn’t in the lead, and he came off the pace briefly on the fourth lap for Dolphin Nick Sloman to take the lead.

Sloman and Brazil’s Matheus Mellechi then skipped the feed zone on Lap 5 to maintain the lead before Wellbrock took over. Wellbrock then remained in control when Sloman took an inside line on the final lap in a bid to introduce chaos.

It was a 12-man group in the lead pack at 400 meters and Wellbrock and Sloman were out front until the German put the foot down coming around the last buoy.

The German put on the afterburners for Sloman to slip to ninth (1:50.10) while rookie Euan Linley (1:52.36) fought his way to 14^th.