Geoff Huegill to lead Australian team at the European stages of FINA/Arena World Cup – Swimming News
One of the most splendid Australian butterfly swimmers, Geoff Huegill is set to lead the Australian team for the European stages of the 2011 Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA)/Arena World Cup Series.
The World Cup is starting on October 7 in Dubai, after which the next three stops will be held in Stockholm, Moscow and Berlin. Australia will not participate in the opening stage of the championship, while the 32-year-old Huegill will be leading the nation’s
squad to the next three consecutive stops.
FINA offers lucrative prize money for podium finishers of every event, awarding $1500 to the gold medallist, $1000 to silver medallist and $500 to bronze medallist. Furthermore, cash prize of $10,000 to every swimmer who shatters the World Record and $100,000
to the overall male or female winner of the series.
The 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, who finished third in the 50m butterfly behind his team-mate, Matthew Targett at the 2011 World Championships, is in good form. The butterfly specialist, who broke the 50m butterfly record in 2001, is likely to
trouble his competitors in the events of 50m butterfly and 100m butterfly at the World Cup.
While expressing his views about the World Cup, Huegill said, “For me it’s all about the racing, I love the style of the back-to-back world cup meets, as it allows me to travel hard and race hard.”
Huegill added, “Ultimately though, it’s all about focusing on swimming well and next year’s Australian Swimming Championships and Olympic Trials. I have cleared the decks completely and am primed to give 100% in the build up to next year.”
In addition, the Australian team for Asian legs of the series has not been decided yet, but it is sure that the Australian comeback king, Ian Thorpe will lead the squad. Nevertheless, Huegill seems focused and motivated towards making a splash in his main
events at this World Cup, while the standings of Australian team at this series will depict the picture for 2012 London Olympic Games.
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