Evans and Nederpelt Prepare for World Cup Duty

WAIS Swimmers Blair Evans and Travis Nederpelt are set to fire ahead of next week’s FINA World Cup meets in Singapore, Tokyo and Beijing.

The City of Perth pair will depart Perth on Monday before joining their WA colleague, AIS-based Merindah Dingjan, as members of the Australian Team contesting the Asian legs of the World Cup series swam over short course (25m pool).

Fellow West Australian and AIS based Sally Foster has just finished a successful tour throughout the European leg, picking up bronze and silver in her favoured breaststroke events and setting the bar for her colleagues to follow.

Commonwealth Games Gold medallist Blair Evans said she was excited at the prospect of getting back into international competition before launching into the summer season ahead.

“The next six months are going to be really exciting for swimming, especially as we get closer to the Olympic trials in March (Adelaide 15-22 March),” Evans said.

“The World Cup will be a great opportunity to get some good quality racing under my belt without deviating from the big work phase I am currently undertaking in preparation for Trials.”

Dual Olympian Travis Nederpelt was a late call up to the Australian team, but said he was relishing the opportunity to take part in the Asian leg of the tour, which will also feature Ian Thorpe’s return to international competition.

“With Thorpey making his comeback in Singapore, obviously there’s going to be a lot of excitement and focus around the event,” Nederpelt said.

“I’m certainly looking forward to the opportunity to test myself against a handful of the World’s best swimmers. Unfortunately I won’t meet Thorpey this time around but we will be going head to head in the 200IM at the Australian Championships in March, so watch this space.”

Evans, Nederpelt and Dingjan will compete in Singapore (4-5 November), Beijing (8-9 November) and Tokyo (12-13 November).

-Swimming WA