The 2026 Australian Swimming Trials Day 2 Prelims: A Recap
The second day of the 2026 Australian Swimming Trials is underway, with swimmers looking to build on their performances from the previous day. The competition is fierce, with many swimmers aiming to secure their spot on the national team.
Key Performances and Storylines
- Kaylee McKeown dominated the 50 back, winning the event and setting the world's fastest time this season. She also scratched out of the 200 IM due to illness but looked strong.
- Ella Ramsay earned her spot on both rosters with a 2nd place finish in the 200 IM. She is the 2nd seed in the 100 breaststroke, chasing down last year's breakout swimmer, Sienna Toohey.
- Samuel Short won the 400 free yesterday and is the 4th seed in the 200 free. He lit up the pool with his sprinting chops.
- Alexandria Perkins and Henry Allan are looking to turn things around after strong times yesterday. Perkins won the 100 fly but was disappointed, aiming for a PB. Allan, a 17-year-old, fell just outside the range for the 50 back.
- Kyle Chalmers, the 3rd seed in the 100 fly, faces a tough challenge with Matthew Temple and Ben Armbruster in his heat.
- Ella Ramsay and Sienna Harben lead the women's 100 breaststroke with times under 1:08.00, but the qualifying time is very fast at 1:06.17.
- Alexandria Perkins continued her dominance in the women's 50 butterfly, setting a co-Australian record.
- Jasmine Greenwood and Kael Thompson broke the 700 point barrier in the women's Multi Class 100 Butterfly.
- Declan Budd, Timothy Hodge, and Lewis Bishop are set to battle in the men's Multi Class 100 Butterfly.
- Iona Anderson beat Kaylee McKeown in the women's 100 backstroke, setting a new Commonwealth Record.
The trials continue with more exciting races and the anticipation of team selections for the Pan-Pacs and Commonwealth Games.
