Rhys Mainstone joins an elite Australian open water swimming contingent in Italy this week as preparation continues for the 2014 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships on the Gold Coast in August.
Mainstone will race the Italian 10km Open Water Championships on Wednesday which are held in Lake Bracciano, Lazio.
After racing in Italy, Mainstone flies to Setubal, Portugal to compete in the FINA 10km World Cup meet on June 28.
“I’m really looking forward to the European Tour. It will be good to get some international races in before returning home to compete at the Pan Pacs on the Gold Coast,” said the 24 year-old.
Also in the field are Australians Jarrod Poort and Simon Huitenga who were World Championship teammates last year in Barcelona.
Swimming Australia’s National Open Water Coach and Performance Manager Ron McKeon said the tour would be an important part of the swimmers preparations for the Pan Pacs.
“We can be quite isolated from international open water competition in Australia but having the major meet later in the year is a great opportunity to give our group of swimmers some high quality international race practice ahead of the Gold Coast in August.”
“We have a relatively young team and providing them with the chance to race overseas, in a competitive environment, will be beneficial to their racing skills and technique as well as their overall development as an elite swimmer,” said McKeon.