Unlike previous editions, the rule for the 2017 FINA Swimming World Cup was changed to the number of races. South African swimmer Chad Le Clos described it as the best World Cup because “it gave everyone a fair chance.”
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“This year was the best World Cup, not just because I won but because it gave everyone a fair chance with the rule change to the number of races, and some of the things FINA laid on for fans. If they can just keep on improving it and making it more exciting, that’s the key,”[/perfectpullquote]
Le Clos told FINA official website.
The South African became the first men’s swimmer to win four overall World Cup titles at the just concluded OCBC Aquatic Centre in Singapore.
This has been a long time coming since the 25-year-old swimmer last emerged as overall winner. He began to journey to this historical record in Moscow, Russia at the start of Cluster #1. He had no challengers in the 100m butterfly (49.13) and 200m free (1.42:54).
Eventually, in Cluster #2 held in Doha (QAT), Dubai (UAE), and Hong Kong (HKG) Le Clos remained in the lead for the men’s category with Russia’s Vladimir Morozov edging closer.
In the final Cluster, Morozov delayed Le Clos’s record. He struck gold twice to carry the men’s series title race to a final day. However, the Russian needed to set a world record to prevent Le Clos from dethroning him. Unfortunately, the Russian was unable to set the record and extend the contest to the final session.
Already confirmed as overall champion before his final show piece, the newly announced Youth Olympic Ambassador grasped his final Gold in the 100m butterfly after finishing in 49.49 seconds ahead of China’s Zhuao Li.
Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom won the Women’s overall crown. Both collected their winners’ cheques for $150,000 as they were crowned series champions at the FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup.
The runners-up were presented with $100,000 cheques, while third-placed duo Kirill Prigoda (RUS) and Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) picked up $50,000. Morozov collected $50,000 as men’s cluster winner.
Image: Streeter Lecka
