Rising Star To Watch

15 year old Jacob Vincent from Hobart, Tasmania has already come a long way in the world of competitive swimming.

Showing an incredible amount of focus and determination in the pool, this rising star has already broken over 100 state swimming records.  From his first race at 10, Vincent went on to break his first Tasmanian record at 11 in the 400m freestyle. Wanting to be a versatile swimmer, he then started swimming 1500m events and his results indicate this will likely be his signature race. In February this year at the Tasmanian Swimming Championships, Vincent swam his 1500m free in the third-fastest time ever by a 14 year-old Australian, taking the gold and breaking six Tasmanian records in the one swim.  Vincent's time beat Grant Hackett's best when he was the same age.

Vincent describes his most memorable finish in the 1500m at the National Age Championships last year "I had a few seconds lead heading into the last lap and I just remember smiling the entire last 50m just overjoyed that my hard work had paid off" he said. "As soon as I touched the wall though I had the realisation that now I had to come back and do the same the next year". That he did, winning gold in both the 1500m and 400m freestyle events at the National Age Championships in April.

A typical day for Vincent could be perceived as grueling for some. Waking at 4:50 am each morning, he trains for two hours before school with pool and dry land work, returning to the water for another 90 minute session in the afternoon, making it home in time for dinner, homework and an early night, ready to do it again the next day. The most challenge aspect for Vincent? "Getting out of bed on a Monday morning knowing that the week is just beginning" he says. Working on swimming technique in training has continued to be a major focus for Vincent. "The great thing about the 1500 is small improvements in just one aspect of your race add up."

Vincent prepares for a race by marshalling early, allowing him time to prepare alone. "I like to be by myself and visualise my race, sometimes with music on. Then I'll walk onto the pool deck pretty relaxed but focused and aware of what I need to do." With outstanding race results already this year, Vincent is set to compete in the Australian Open Short Course Championships in November and will prepare for the State Championships and a third round of success at the Australian Open and Age Championships in 2015. Setting his sights on one day representing Australia, Vincent says "In five years I'd like to be competing at the highest level, whilst still racing locally as much as I do now."