Glasgow Golden Girl Jenna Forrester Continues Breakthrough Year at Australian Short Course; Ready for Beijing World’s Debut
Triple Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jenna Forrester (St Peters Western) has gate-crashed her way on to the Australian World Short Course Team in Sydney tonight – breaking a long-standing National record in the women’s 400IM.
The 23-year-old Queenslander’s time of 4 minutes 28.39 seconds lowered a 17-year-old Australian record – first set back in 2009 and equalled by Fullerton again some six years later, when she clocked the exact same time in 2015.
Fullerton had swum the time of 4.28.72 at the 2009 Australian Short Course Championships in Hobart and then in a remarkable feat, equalled her own time six years later at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre.
Forrester breaking the times by just 0.31 secs – her second qualifying time for this year’s World Championships in Beijing in December.
NEXT JEN: St Peters Western’s tough-as-teak IMer Jenna Forrester in action in her record-breaking 400IM win in Sydney.Photo Courtesy Delly Carr (Swimming Australia).
The tough-as-teak all-rounder opened proceedings in the first event with a second-place finish to fellow Paris Olympian Iona Anderson – the WA star adding the 200m in 2:03.00 to her 100m backstroke win on the opening night.
Forrester powering home to take second in 2:04.17 – under the Beijing time of 2:04.62 with the double up bringing back memories of her courageous opening night at the Glasgow Games.
It was there she finished with bronze in the 400m freestyle to teammate Lani Pallister before winning the first of her three golds in the 200m backstroke – an entrée to her golden 200 and 400 IM double.
On breaking the 400IM record, Forrester was pleasantly surprised, saying “That was a shock. I came here with no expectations, just to jump in and have a bit of fun.
“I haven’t done a lot of short course and that hurt doubling up (with the 200m backstroke) but I’ve done a lot of double-ups, especially internationally – so thanks to my coaches.
“I’ve always wanted to represent Australia at (World) Short Course, hopefully this year is my year.”
LOVE IS IN THE AIR: Olivia Wunsch sending a message to her fans in the stands. Members of her own Carlile Club’s competitive pathway program, taking a breaking from their annual camp to support their hero. Photo Courtesy Delly Carr (Swimming Australia).
There were outstanding swims from Paris Olympic teammates Olivia Wunsch (Carlile, NSW) and Flynn Southam (Bond, QLD) who delivered impressive swims in their respective 100m freestyle wins.
Twenty-year-old Wunsch, coached by Chris Nesbit leading from the outset to become the latest Australian sprinter to break 52 seconds over the short course 100m – clocking 51.72 – and improving on her previous personal best of 52.04 set at the Westmont (USA) World Cup last year.
Wunsch led throughout (11.84; 24.87; 51.72) to finish ahead of the versatile Lani Pallister (St Peters Western, QLD) 53.18 and her Carlile club mate Jamie De Lutiis (53.46).
Southam, the Commonwealth Games gold medallist who beat Kyle Chalmers for the crown, continued his progression towards LA 28 and Brisbane 32 – becoming only the fourth Australian under 46 seconds for the short course journey – clocking 45.61 – and joining world record holder Chalmers (44;84), Matt Abood (45.45) and James Magnussen (45.60).
MEANS BUSINESS: Flynn Southam means business when he steps up to race the big boys at the World Short Course Title in December. Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr (Swimming Australia)
“It’s good to back up after Comm Games and be consistent but it’s been pretty hard to stay motivated and I’m pretty stoked with that time, to be honest … bring on the World Champs,” Southam said.
“The last time I raced short course was the Worlds in Melbourne four years ago so I’m really looking forward to racing the big dogs.
“Comm Games is a good taste test for me with Matt Richards (Wales) and obviously Kyle. I know David Popovici (Romania) isn’t doing Worlds but Jack Alexy (USA) is someone else on my list who I’m looking forward to racing.
“(After this meet) I’m just gonna go back home, probably go for a fish over the next few days, and, get out in the outdoors.
“But as for expectation – bring on the pressure. Sometimes it does make me nervous, but I love it, and I breathe it. I froth it.”
And while Forrester produced an eye-catching swim in the 400IM it was Paris Olympian Will Petric (Nunawading, VIC) who showed why will be knocking on the IM door for LA – producing the second fastest time by an Australian behind Thomas Fraser-Holmes (3:57.91) -clocking 3:59.27 – only the second Australian under 4 minutes.
PARTING PIC…
CARLILE CHEER SQUAD: Members of the Carlile Junior section of the club’s competitive pathway program all based at Ryde, who attended tonight’s finals to cheer on their heroes. Photo Courtesy Carlile Swimming.
2026 Australian Short Course Championships, Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, FINALS, Day 2:
MEN
100m freestyle
- Flynn Southam (Bond University, QLD) 45.61
- Ed Sommerville (Brisbane Grammar, QLD) 46.06
- Matt Temple (Marion, SA) 46.55
200m backstroke
- Stuart Swinburn (City of Sydney, NSW) 1:50.81
- Enoch Robb (Griffith University, QLD) 1:51.65
- Josh Edwards-Smith (Griffith University, QLD) 1.52.21
50m breaststroke
- Joshua Collett (Bond, QLD) 26.09
- Gideon Burnes (Bond, QLD) 26.11
- James McKechnie (Starplex, SA) 26.49
400m individual medley
- Will Petric (Nunawading, VIC) 3:59.27
- Samuel Higgs (Nunawading, VIC) 4:06.70
- Cameron Riccini (Miami, QLD) 4:09.66
Multi-Class
50m freestyle
- Rowan Crothers (Marion, SA) 23.04
- Alex Tuckfield (Aquablitz Toongabbie, NSW) 23.52
- Hamish Keenan (Propulsion, VIC) 26.48
WOMEN
100m freestyle
- Olivia Wunsch (Carlile, NSW) 51.72
- Lani Pallister (St Peters Western, QLD) 53.18
- Jamie De Lutiis (Carlile, NSW) 53.46
200m backstroke
- Iona Anderson (Highlanders, WA) 2:03.00
- Jenna Forrester (St Peters Western, QLD) 2:04.17
- Alyssa Burgess (Highlanders, WA) 2:04.41
50m breaststroke
- Mia O’Leary (Griffith University, QLD) 29.72
- Lily Koch (Melbourne Vicentre, VIC) 30.32
- Kyla Brown (Bond) 30.66
400m individual medley
- Jenna Forrester (St Peters Western, QLD) 4:28.39 (Aust Rec)
- Amelie Smith (Rocky City, QLD) 4:30.87
- Kayla Hardy (Cruiz, ACT) 4:28.39
Multi Class
50m freestyle
- Madeleine McTernan (Griffith University, QLD) 27.83
- Victoria Belando Nicholson (University of QLD) 29.45
- Sarah Howe (St Hildas, WA) 30.04