Australia’s Commonwealth Games medalists shine in pool duel, but USA take the lead

Australia’s Golden Girls and clever team tactics gave the host nation a great start to one of the night’s head-to-head swimming events against rivals the United States in Sydney.

Emma McKeon and Mollie O’Callaghan wowed a small crowd of 3,355 in legs 3 and 4 of the mixed 4×100 medley relay, which took place at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

Teenage swimming sensation O’Callaghan surprised McKeon by winning the 100m freestyle final at the Commonwealth Games. But this time she chased her idol into the pool, overtaking Mallory Commerford and snatching Australia’s first Duel in the Pool points.

McKeon brought home six gold, one silver and one bronze medal from Birmingham so it was a shock when the superstar lost to Beata Nelson of the USA in the 3x50m butterfly skin.

It was all part of the plan, as Australia used the ‘double dip’ wildcard to add another 50m race to the two-way battle. McKeon was too fast for a tired Nelson to steal a point on the extra leg.

“I was doing the last 50 and had an extra one on Beata and I felt really bad,” McKeon said.

“But it was just a strategy and they told me to do it, so I just did it.

Australia scored double points in the women’s 4x100m freestyle after using the ‘power play’ in the gold medal-winning event at last year’s Tokyo Olympics. This time, O’Callaghan took the lead into the final leg and went home to her.

Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Kayleigh McKean posted strong times in previous relays and successfully completed the 100m backstroke.

American rising star Vera Sims has shown her talent for doing a 200m followed by a broken 400m freestyle with two 100m legs with a short recovery period between each race.