Mainstone medals on opening day Oceania Championships
Swimming Western Australia
Published: May 30, 2012 11:33:37 AM Updated: May 30, 2012 12:19:40 PM
The 2012 Oceania Championships began May 28th and will continue through to Saturday June 2nd in Nouméa, New Caledonia. The championships feature competition in Pool Swimming, Open Water and Synchro.
101 swimmers from 14 nations and 2 additional teams are entered in this year's hotly contested championships. This year’s Oceania team features over 20 of Australia’s best young swimmers ready to make their mark on the international swimming scene.
The 5km open water races officially kicked off proceedings on Monday with UWA's Rhys Mainstone bringing home the gold in a fantastic time 57:05.60 ahead of Trent Grimsey (AUS) in 57:10.94 and Isaac Foote (NZ) in 1:01.38.12. Rhys is the sole WA representative on the Team and aims to continue his medal haul when he competes in his current Australian Title event, the 10km swim, on Saturday.
In the pool, Rhys displayed his versatility by swimming PB of 1:55.83 in the heats of the 200m Freestyle to qualify for the final. Rhys went on to place 4th in the final in another PB of 1:55.81 behind Kenneth To (AUS), Thomas Dahlia (FRA) and Ewan Jackson (NZL). Rhys also finished 3rd in the 1500m Freestyle in 15:48.32. However, due to the "2 medals per nation rule", Rhys did not finish in the medals. Australia's Jared Poort (15:30.68) and Trent Grimsey (15:32.39) placed 1st and 2nd respectively.
Rhys will contest the 4x200m Freestyle Relay this evening and then the 400m Freestyle heats tomorrow morning. Rhys' racing will conclude with the 10km open water race on Saturday.
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