Aussie open water swim queen triumphs at Pan Pacs
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Australia’s world champion Moesha Johnson has continued her season of complete dominance in open water swimming, winning the Pan Pacific Championships 10km title off Long Beach, California.
Racing on the same waterfront expected to be used for the 2028 Olympics, 28-year-old Johnson grabbed the lead on the second of six laps and won comfortably in one hour 55 minutes and 33 seconds on Tuesday (AEST).
She finished more than 26 seconds clear of silver medallist Airi Ebina of Japan, with Ichika Kajimoto (Japan) third.
Australian rookie Jacqueline Davison-McGovern impressed in fifth in 1:56.17 while compatriots Tiana Kritzinger finished 11th and Chelsea Douyere 12th in the 23-strong field.
The victory extended a dazzling 2026 campaign for Johnson, who won all four World Cup 10km races plus all four 3km races.
The 2024 Olympic silver medallist is a three-time world championship gold medallist, having won 5km and 10km last year in Singapore.
Johnson, who will swim the 1500m on day one of the pool competition, said: “It was quite a strong field of girls. They’re all very fit at the moment, and everyone’s in really good shape.
“I had to keep an eye on where my heart rate and my effort was sitting. And, you know, Jackie (Davison-McGovern) was right there on my feet the whole way.
“I really wanted to try and keep her there with me but it wasn’t to be. I wanted to have a dominant race on American soil leading into LA 2028.
“It’s a great first step to the Olympic cycle.” Johnson added.
“I love my sport and I love representing my country … and I hope there is an opportunity for our sport to be there in 2032 whether it’s me or another proud Australian flying the flag in Brisbane.”
Germany’s multiple world champion Florian Wellbrook won the men’s 10km race in 1:49.51 from Mexico’s Paulo Strelhke Delgado and Italy’s Dario Verani.
Australia’s Nick Sloman led for a time but slipped to finish ninth (1:50.10) with countryman Euan Linley (1:52.36) 14th.
AAP