U.S., Australia to Clash in the Second Annual "Duel in the Pool" -- August 1, 2005

By Phillip Whitten

IRVINE, Calif, August 1. TUESDAY, only two days after the spectacular finale to the FINA World Swimming Championships in Montreal, the world’s two great aquatic superpowers — the United States (Team USA) and Australia (Telstra Dolphins) — will be going head-to-head at the second annual Mutual of Omaha Duel in the Pool.

Promoted as competitive swimming’s version of the Super Bowl, the event will be hosted by the City of Irvine’s William Woollett Jr. Aquatic Complex (WWJAC), one of the newest and largest aquatic centers in southern California.

And SwimmingWorldMagazine.com will be there, of course, bringing you all the action in the pool, as well as the action behind the scenes.

The U.S. men are favored to defeat their Aussie counterparts, while the Australian women are given a slight edge over their American competitors.

Eight swimmers set world records in Montreal, and six of the record-setters will be competing tomorrow: Australia’s Grant Hackett, Jade Edmistone and Leisel Jones and the USA's Ian Crocker, Jessica Hardy and Aaron Peirsol.

Other champions from the 2005 FINA World Championships competing in Irvine will be:

For Australia: Jodie Henry, Lisbeth Lenton, Giaan Rooney and Jessicah Schipper

For the USA: Brendan Hansen, Katie Hoff and Michael Phelps.

Some Meet Facts, Jack

EVENTS
4x100 Free relay
400 IM
100 Fly
100 Back
100 Breast
100 Free
400 Free
200 IM
200 Back
200 Breast
50 Free
200 Free
200 Fly
4x100 Medley relay

Team Size: Each team’s roster will be the same as its 2005 World Championships team. Combined scoring for one overall team winner. Athletes can enter up to four events each, including relay swims. Each team can enter up to three athletes in each individual event and one relay team in the relay events.

Scoring: 5-3-2-1 Individual Events, 7-0 Relay Events

Prizes: A traveling trophy will be presented to the winning country. In addition, world record swims will earn $25,000.