The Effortless Swimming Podcast #349 : The Real Story Behind The Women's 10km Open Water At Paris with Sharon van Rouwendaal and Moesha Johnson
Sep 3, 2024
Sharon van Rouwendaal, a Dutch Olympic gold medalist and champion in open-water swimming, shares her strategic insights on the thrilling 10km race at the Paris Olympics. Joining her is Moesha Johnson, an emerging Australian talent who claimed silver. They discuss their pre-race tactics, the surprising dynamics of leading the pack, and the importance of mental strength. Both athletes reflect on overcoming personal challenges, the exhilarating finish, and their life in the spotlight post-race.
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Practice The Course Before Race Day
- Train on the actual course when possible to learn currents, feeding points and faster lines.
- Take practice swims seriously and adapt tactics from what you find rather than relying on assumptions.
Tactics Beat Blind Drafting
- Reading the water and switching tactics mid-race turned the tide for Sharon.
- Small positional moves (pillars, wall) can gain many places when others struggle with current.
Plan Lines Around Landmarks
- Scout finish gates and feeding pontoons to find the least-current lines before racing.
- Use visible landmarks (pillars, boats, walls) to plan passing points and conserve energy.