F-Teamers Set to Race at World Champs
2021 has been a rollercoaster of a year, and for the world’s best swimmers it isn’t quite over yet. Swimmers from all around the world are primed for one final hit-out at the 15th FINA World Short Course Swimming Championships from December 16-21 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
We're looking forward to seeing our Funkita F-Teamers in action. Holly Barratt will line up as one of only two Aussies in Abu Dhabi, representing Australia’s smallest team ever to swim at a World Championships. The experienced campaigner was critical to the Aqua Centurions’ recent ISL run, and shined at the FINA World Cups. She is hoping for a repeat of her successful 2018 World Champs where she had stellar bronze medal performances in the women’s 50m Butterfly and 50m Backstroke. She has a massive race schedule, having entered to race in the 50m and 100m Freestyle, 50m and 100m Backstroke and the 50m Butterfly events.
USA's Emily Escobedo, fresh off her ISL run with the Cali Condors, is no stranger to the big stage. The dual World University Games medalist has represented America on multiple occasions and will be a threat in the breaststroke events. Keep an eye out for her performances in the 100m and 200m Breaststroke events.
South African Tayla Lovemore is also set to compete, with the 26-year-old African Record Holder eager to end the year strong. She's entered the 50m and 100m Butterfly events. Fellow South African Lara Van Niekerk will be up against Emily in the 100m and 200m Breaststroke events. She qualified for Worlds at the South African SC Champs in September were she won gold in the 50m Breaststroke in a time of 29.85, becoming the first South African woman ever to dip below 30 seconds in that event.
Portuguese distance specialist and national record holder Diana Duraes is keen to race again after her Olympic debut in Tokyo. She is entered to race the 400m and 800m Freestyle events.
Scottish swimmer Katie Shanahan is hungry for more international racing after smashing her competition at the European Junior Championships where she won 6 medals, making her one of the most successful British swimmers ever at the European Jr. Champs. At World SC Champs, she is scheduled to race in the 200m Backstroke and the 200m and 400m IM.
It's been a big year for Irish swimmer Ellen Walshe having raced in Tokyo and then joining the University of Tennessee swim team in the US. Ellen has a massive schedule in Abu Dhabi. She's racing in the 200m and 400m IM and the 50m, 100m and 200m Butterfly events. Former F-Teamer and fellow Irishwoman Mona McSharry will also be racing in Abu Dhabi having entered the 50m, 100m and 200m Breaststroke events.
All the best to all the Funkita F-Teamers - check out the schedule below so that you don’t miss any of the action!
