Kelly Stubbins Reviews $100 Million Pool Set to Host 2012 Aussie Trials

After Swimming Australia announced that their 2012 Olympic Trials would be held in the relatively-small city of Adelaide at their brand-new, $100 million facility, there were mixed reviews from Australia’s elite. There were some who were excited, and others who were upset about the break from tradition of hosting it in Sydney, where a large portion of the elite athletes and their families live. We caught up with Australia National Teamer Kelly Stubbins to get her review of the pool after swimming a pair of meets there.

Home of the 2012 Australian Olympic Trials. Courtesy of Kelly Stubbins

I first swam in the South Australian Aquatic and Leisure Center, Adelaide, back in June 2011 at the Australian short course champs; and then got the opportunity to swim there again a week ago at the South Australia State Champs.

My initial thought on getting out onto pool deck was that there was not much space around, which will be interesting come trials when every swimmer with qualifying times will want to have a crack at Olympic selection!

The pool itself is fantastic, I’ve swum short and long course there, un-tapered, and have felt really good and sat quite high in the water. The only real difference between Adelaide and Sydney is the crowd seating…in Sydney there is seating on both sides of the pool, whereas in Adelaide only one side has seating.

Although the space on deck is limited, in my opinion it’s actually good to be racing in a different pool for trials this year. We have been racing in Sydney for so many years that you sort of get tired going to the same pool to compete. The Adelaide pool is certainly a fast pool and come March I think we will be seeing some very fast times swum there at our trials.

Home of the 2012 Australian Olympic Trials. Courtesy of Kelly Stubbins

Read More With These Tags: 2012, Adelaide Swimming, Australian Olympic Trials, Kelly Stubbins, Swimming Australia

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9 Comments

shanmac

02.06.2012 · Reply

I hope that the spectators who have managed to secure seating with a view of the competition pool (not just the warm-up pool) do get to see some FAST times!!! Australian Swimming"s Premier event in an Olympic year in such a crowded environment - questionable judgement!
200breast225

02.06.2012 · Reply

you'd think with $100m they would have plentiful amounts deck space and seating.
shanmac

02.06.2012 · Reply

Haha...we had National Age Championships there last year. Unfortunately they chose to squeeze the complex onto an irregular (long, narrow) shaped block in Suburban Adelaide in-between two main roads????? Hence the fact that there is spectator seating on only one side, half of which has no view of the competition pool (due to poor design). Still, I suppose it will be fun for those people to "spot the stars" warming up...NOT (at $50 to $80 a ticket) :|
shanmac

02.06.2012 · Reply

Haha...we had National Age Championships there last year. Unfortunately they chose to squeeze the complex onto an irregular (long, narrow) shaped block in Suburban Adelaide in-between two main roads????? Hence the fact that there is spectator seating on only one side, half of which has no view of the competition pool (due to poor design). Still, I suppose it will be fun for those people to "spot the stars" warming up...NOT (at $50 to $80 a ticket) :|
aswimfan

02.06.2012 · Reply

This is for Ddias who didn't believe me when I said that Magnussen was in heavy training and did not taper or rest when swimming 48.05 in Adelaide: From the horse's mouth himself so to speak: "In Adelaide, I was not rested or tapered in any way, I had done quality twice that week, so I really didn't expect to go that quick," he said. "I am at a similar stage of training for NSW and I'll just be looking to perfect my race plan. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/the-missile-james-magnussen-is-re-arming-for-london/story-e6frgdg6-1226264134695
DDias

02.07.2012 · Reply

aswimfan, I NEVER told you he was tapered.Why the heck he will taper to a minor meeting???My questioning was IF he was in the SAME level of training(TOP of heavy training) because he has to qualify to Olympics, Cielo don t need that.YOU TOLD he was in the SAME phase as Cielo. You told that: *If Magnussen is in top heavy training and only swim 49-50, he can say goodbye to his ambition in breaking the WR.* And i explained in Cielo sprint training( in top training) ALL sprinters suffer, because MAXIMUM metrage and weigths.Just catch Cielo first competition last year...he was 50 mid something(100) and 22.3(50).His peers(dos santos and others) made 51 and 22 high.
shanmac

02.08.2012 · Reply

Haha..DDias & aswimfan, what's that got to do with the pool? Presuming you agreeing with KS that it must be a fast pool???
aswimfan

02.08.2012 · Reply

Ddias, I got ya. So you think that Magnussen could not have been in top heavy training. Wow. This magnussen chap must be very cocky.
DDias

02.08.2012 · Reply

aswimfan, Don t try to twist my words.He(Magnussen) can even dont have a PEAK in his heavy training schedule.Many american swimmers have training like that.Some coaches talk about non-destructive training, having 2 times for peak in weights and swimming(not at the same time, like some brazilian coaches do).My question is about the SAME time as Cielo, it s what you TOLD.I find a bit hard to believe, but you know Magnussen schedule better than i.