South Africa’s Chad le Clos and Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom were the big winners as they were crowned series champions at the Fina/airweave Swimming World Cup in Singapore, on Sunday.
Both superstars collected winner’s cheques for $150,000, and Sjostrom’s winnings were topped up by $50 000 as she additionally won the final cluster, which also saw competitions at Beijing and Tokyo.
According to the Fina website, both entered Sunday’s finals session at OCBC Aquatic Centre as champions, after their closest pursuers — and deposed title-holders — Vladimir Morozov (RUS) and Katinka Hosszu (HUN) were unable to gain enough points in the morning’s heats to extend the battle into the evening.
The runners-up were, however, $100 000 richer after their season’s efforts, while third-placed duo Kirill Prigoda (RUS) and Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) picked up $50 000. Morozov collected $50 000 as men’s cluster winner.
In last year’s overall series standings, only the winners were rewarded, getting $100 000.
The Chad ’n Vlad show got the night under way in the 100m free, the Russian winning the duel in 45.56, and Le Clos touching home second in 46 dead.
When Morozov (23.85) finished sixth and 1.03 sec behind Pavel Sankovich (BLR), it left Le Clos needing to swim 48.25 in the individual finale, the 100m fly, to win the cluster.
However, he only just held on for victory in 49.49, as runner-up Zhuhao Li (CHN) set a world junior best of 49.53.
‘This year was the best World Cup, not just because I won, but because it gave everyone a fair chance with the rule change to the number of races, and some of the things Fina laid on for fans. If they can just keep on improving it and making it more exciting, that’s the key,’ said Le Clos.
‘The money’s great — I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a motivation — but also coming here and racing top guys, that’s what it’s about. This year’s been important to me, mentally, and with the hard training. I’m excited for the Commonwealth Games in April — I start work tomorrow. I leave midnight tonight and tomorrow I’ll be in the gym, have an easy swim session and I definitely need some physio. It’s been a great season, because take it back a year and a lot of people doubted me after the Olympic Games.’
Sjostrom celebrated her coronation in style, landing double gold in the 50m fly and 200m free, but she doesn’t have any big spending plans for the $200 000.
‘It’s quite expensive to live in Stockholm, so when you buy an apartment that’s where all the money goes, so you have to save money — and you never know when you’ve earned your last prize money. You could get a shoulder injury or anything, so you have to take care of the money you win,’ said Sjostrom.
‘It feels great to win it. It’s the first time I’ve done the World Cup and it’s the first time I’ve won the World Cup, so it’s been amazing, but very tough. I’m very impressed with the swimmers who do this year after year, but I’m excited to maybe do the World Cup more times. Racing at the highest level against Ranomi and Cate Campbell (Aus) is the best form of training for me. Of course I get tired, but it’s a lot of fun.’
‘My next big competition is the European short-course championships in Copenhagen in three weeks so I’m excited to be going there.
‘Then I go to South Africa for four weeks, two weeks’ vacation and two weeks’ training camp. I rented a house with my agent and my family, and I’ll see Chad and Cameron van der Burgh (SA) and all those guys.’
Picture of Le Clos in Singapore courtesy of Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images
