A promising Warrnambool swimmer says having a world junior medallist back in town is pushing him to improve.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sebastian Christie-Crane, who has recently moved from Hamilton, said having Isaac Jones as a training partner and opponent gave him "someone to chase".
Jones took out the Shipwreck Coast Swim Series' Port Campbell leg on Sunday in 14 minutes and 48 seconds.
RELATED:
Christie-Crane, who was crowned overall male winner after its three legs, finished the 1.2-kilometre swim in second. Their Warrnambool Swimming Club teammate Sophie Thomas was the first female across the line and third overall.
Christie-Crane, 19, is preparing for the Swimming Australia national championships in Perth in April.
He's qualified for the 100m freestyle and backstroke and is still chasing times in other events.
Jones, 24, won a FINA world championships silver medal as a teenager and Christie-Crane said his work ethic was inspiring.
He said Jones had his measure in the Port Campbell waters.
"He had knee surgery not too long ago but as soon as he gets in the water, no one is keeping up with him," Christie-Crane said post-race.
"He started way, way wide on the right. I saw him flying past and I wanted to get over and sit behind him but he's just gone too quick."
Jones, who has scaled back his competitive swimming, said both Christie-Crane and Thomas "keep you honest" at training.
The University of Kentucky graduate said Christie-Crane was developing well.
"He's progressing quite nicely for when nationals come around in a couple of months and by Olympic trials he'll be timing it right," he said.
Jones is recovering from knee surgery and said he was thrilled to win at his first attempt at the Port Campbell swim since 2014.
"When I did a warm-up this morning, I noticed that the buoys weren't completely lined up straight and especially with my (sore) leg, I thought it would be good to start close to the cliffs and 50 metres wide of the buoys and try and hit the orange one perfect," he said of his tactics.
"I was about 10m off but the wider line was good to get some cleaner water."
Jones had to tweak his technique to ease pressure on his knee and employed "a nice one-two kick which keeps my rotation balanced".
"Normally I am quite kick-driven so I have changed it to arm-dominant," he said.
Jones was happy he could support the annual series.
"The open water swims are always a good day and it's good to support the local surf clubs," he said. Ballarat teenager Alyssia Jenkins was the series' overall female winner.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.