ELITE CONTENDERS
Weber’s chief target for this year is competing in the
10km open water swim at her second Olympic Games,
in Tokyo this August, so the aQuellé Midmar Mile will
provide a crucial opportunity to test herself against
some tough competition. “It’s an Olympic year, so it’s
obviously a really big year for me as well as a lot of
other athletes. Midmar fits into my training schedule
for the Games – just to see how fast I’m getting and
how I’m feeling in the water – and it’s also a month
before Nationals, so any concerns or anything I feel
isn’t right in my training, I can fix very quickly. I think
the competition at Midmar is going to be quite tough,
on both the men’s and women’s side, and everyone is
going to be swimming really fast,” says the 23-year-old,
who’s now based in Franschhoek in the Western Cape.
Open Water Challenge
A top-two spot at the National Championships will be the
first step to qualifying for Tokyo. “It’s pretty tight, because
in open water swimming, we only have 25 swimmers in
the event, compared to pool swimmers, where there are a
lot more. It’s also harder because conditions change, race
tactics change – you need a lot of experience for this, and
I’ve been doing this for a while, so I’m pretty excited to
see how I’m going to do,” she says.
Much of that experience has come at the famous
KwaZulu-Natal dam, where Weber has notched up
an incredible record over the years. She’s finished
in the top eight on each of the 12 occasions
she’s competed, winning the 13 years and under
category in 2009 and 2010, and the senior title
in 2016, while finishing second last year behind
Australia’s Kareena Lee. “It’s always amazing
having the internationals coming through. It’s
cool to race against them and chat to them while
they’re here. I think that’s the nice thing about
open water – a lot of people do take it seriously,
but it’s also a lot more social than pool swimming.
So just the vibe they bring is pretty amazing,” says
Michelle.
“For this year, I’m not sure who will be the biggest
competition. You never know what’s going to happen
on the day. Open water is strange like that. Conditions
change, you can get a wrong line, and it could just not
be your day. I just love open water swimming, though,
because I get to travel to so many different countries
and I get to swim in some of the most beautiful
oceans, lakes, dams and rivers. I love the adventure
that comes with it.”
British Star Determined to Make Midmar Amends
B
ritish swimming star Ashley Hogg has come
nail-bitingly close to victory at the aQuellé
Midmar Mile, and he’s determined this time
he’ll top the podium. Hogg will be one of the main
international threats, along with American Brendan
Casey, in the main men’s race when the world’s
largest open water swimming event takes place at
Midmar Dam from 8-9 February.
The 21-year-old university student finished second in
2018 and fifth in last year’s race, but he’s determined
to finally get that win under his belt – particularly in
this Olympic year. “Coming close to gold a couple
of times in the past has taught me valuable tactical
lessons, both borne from my errors and others’
successes,” he says. “I have not only learnt more
from coming so close, but I am also more driven to
get that win. It is an Olympic year, so everybody will
be nearing their best in preparation to grab one of
the limited Olympic qualifying places. There will be,
unquestionably, tough opposition this year, but I am
as prepared as possible and excited to see how I
stack up.”
Warmer Climes
Hogg, who is currently completing a Masters degree
in chemistry in Manchester, relishes the opportunity
to leave his soggy hometown behind for the warmer
climes of KwaZulu-Natal each year. “The Midmar Mile
comes at a time when there are few competitions
across Europe, and the conditions in the winter months
don’t lend themselves well to swimming outdoors. It is
essential that we keep race-ready during these months,
and Midmar allows us to race against the world’s best
while in hard mid-season training.”
As for the event itself, Hogg can’t say enough
about what it offers visiting swimmers. “There are
very few races that I have been to in any country
that can provide the same year-on-year guarantee
of a world-class field, a strong sense of welcome
and community, and impeccable organisation.
This consistency is something that, as an athlete,
allows us to focus on swimming fast. This, along
with the fantastically warm reception we receive
as international competitors, makes for such an
enjoyable event. My teammate, Bailey Hairsine, and
I haven’t hesitated in coming back for the last three
years now,” says Hogg. individual goals, all over two days, which gives the
event a unique and special feeling.”
“Every time I race the Midmar Mile, I am reminded
of how kind and hospitable the people are. I find
this rings true across the event, from seasoned
competitors and first-time swimmers alike. Whether
we are racing out of category on our warm-up swims
or finding something to eat at lunchtime, there is
always a friendly face welcoming us. It is this sense of
community, with thousands of people racing for their Already among his list of career achievements is a
bronze medal at the 2018 Wuhan Marathon Grand
Prix in China, finishing in the top eight at the World
Junior Open Water Championships, and claiming
top honours at the British Open Water Swim Series.
Adding a first Midmar crown to that list would be
the best possible start to his Olympic qualifying
campaign.
Racing Test
Like many other Olympic hopefuls, the aQuellé
Midmar Mile will give Hogg the first chance of the year
to test himself. “I had a later start to the season than
I expected, due to illness, but my times in training are
indicating that I’m back on track. I am confident that
my endurance training will pay off. Midmar will be
the first test of how much speed has been retained
through this block of work; that will be key to my
success in the main race.”
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