Media Night Interviews for Carmel Stop of World Cup Circuit
Prior to the start of the World Aquatics World Cup, several of the athletes scheduled to participate took part in media interviews. The following are select responses by the athletes, who will open World Cup competition by racing from Friday through Sunday in Carmel, Indiana.
Thanks to Greg Eggert and World Aquatics for supplying the quotes.
Noe Ponti, the short-course world-record holder in the 50 butterfly and 100 butterfly, on his outlook for the World Cup and 2026 season.
“I mean last year was very good. So this year, this is the first race of the season, so we’re going to see how it all goes. And I think we’re going to just try to keep it going. I’m going to do my best to swim fast and get through faster. And especially here, every stop I hope to get better and better, faster and faster, that’s the goal. And yeah, this season we’re going to have a European short course and a European long course championships. I’m going to try to get the best out of both of them. So yeah, I’m going to try to win and to hold my titles. A long course title would be nice to win.”
Hubert Kos, who helped lead the University of Texas to the NCAA team title last March. Kos followed by capturing gold in the 200 backstroke at the World Championships in Singapore. After that performance, Kos took some time off before returning to training.
“It’s been pretty laid back I would say, compared to other years. I managed to take two to three weeks off. It was really good (because) I needed that time away from the sport to refresh and to get my mindset back. It was a rough two, three, maybe even four years actually all combined into one, ever since going to train in the USA with Bob (Bowman). As far back as the Tokyo Olympics and not stopping after that, I really had only about seven days off.”
Hubert Kos on working with coach Bob Bowman.
“It blew my mind when I first came to Austin because I thought that training in Hungary was intolerable. Then I reallized that swimming can be fun, which is funny to say because some people will say that Bob’s training methods are very very difficult. It was really, really fun to get into a group like his and to train in a group like that. What he says basically goes, and we have a really good team, with a really good chemistry.”
Kate Douglass on not focusing on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“I definitely wouldn’t say I think about it very often. I feel like it’s something I kind of prefer to just not think about. You know, it’s just there and I feel like what’s important to me is focusing on just kind of how to enjoy myself and make sure I’m still enjoying swimming, throughout the year. I like to set a lot of short term goals for myself. And right now I’m just focusing on racing at these World Cup events, and then I’m going to take a break after this. And then we’ll focus on the summer. But I think it’s kind of healthy for me to not really think that far ahead and make goals for myself yet.”
Regan Smith, on carrying the momentum forward from past success.
“I think you build on it and practice every single day. I built on it throughout last spring and into the summer at Worlds in Singapore. And with this year, in no way am I wanting to compare myself to last year. I mean, of course you always intuitively just do that, but it is such a different ballgame that we’re playing this year as opposed to last year. Last year, coming off of the Paris Olympics, we were (in) a completely different headspace. feeling different physically and mentally. (At the 2024 World Cup), Kate and I were just going over there to explore Asia and have a nice time, and then we ended up stumbling backwards into some great swims, and we were like, what? So this year, it’s very different. Bob (Bowman) has really put us to work this fall. So since, gosh, like August 25 or so, it’s been like, full steam ahead. We’ve been getting slammed pretty good. So I’m definitely in shape, but in terms of like feeling race ready, I’m very curious. I know that I’m decent at racing when I’m tired. But in terms of how my body and mind are doing, (I’m) in a completely different spot than I was last year. So again, I don’t want to compare myself, but I’m going to go out there and expect the best of myself.”
Alex Shackell on the chance to swim at home in Carmel, Indiana.
“It’s awesome. Carmel has done so much, not only for Aaron and I, but so many other athletes, like Jake Mitchell and Drew Kibler. So there’s a big legacy at Carmel. The city itself is named Swim City. So it just makes sense to have an international meet here. I’m really excited to see what they put up because there’s a lot of potential. There’s a lot of stands and a lot of space now with our extra pool. So I’m excited.”