Swimming star Cam McEvoy produced a stunning final leg to steer Australia to the perfect start in an Australia vs The World event in Brisbane, while Kyle Chalmers caught some cheeky ribbing from a rival.
The reigning Olympic 50m freestyle champion, McEvoy is taking part in the unique shortcourse event at the Valley Pool, which focuses on points totals rather than times.
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Kaylee McKeown, Mollie O’Callaghan and Shayna Jack were also among those representing the home side, with 12 Olympic gold medallists competing in total.
While Australia’s biggest rival the United States was absent, Germany’s 400m Olympic champion Lukas Martens and Italian 100m backstroke world record holder Thomas Ceccon were part of a star-studded World contingent.
Fans also had an opportunity to vote on the events, with a mixed 50m medley relay first up on the program.
Watch Cam McEvoy’s stunning swim in the video player above
Led by Ceccon, the confident World team used one of its opportunities to nominate double points for the first event, but it ended up backfiring spectacularly thanks to McEvoy.
Ceccon gave the visitors a huge lead after his backstroke leg, which they maintained until the Netherlands’ two-time defending 100m freestyle world champion Marrit Steenbergen set off for the final leg.
But McEvoy powered home to grab the victory for Australia in a tight finish, part of a team also featuring McKeown, Nash Wilkes and Alexandria Perkins.
“Now it’s Steenbergen in the water and Cam McEvoy with a bit of a job to peg back this lead, but we know how good he is,” Mat Thompson said on Channel 9.
“Steenbergen turns in front but here comes Cam. What a finish, it’s a thriller – Australia win 10 points to start the night.”
McEvoy’s effort was all the more impressive considering he is a specialist 50m freestyle swimmer and had to do a rare turn in the 25m pool.
“That’s an incredible final 50 freestyle from Cam McEvoy,” Giaan Rooney said.
“Impressive considering that is his first turn in competition in five years. He’s a 50 freestyle Olympic champion, which is in a 50m pool.”
The recently retired Ariarne Titmus was part of the commentary team and she asked McEvoy after the race how he managed to grab the victory.
“I couldn’t tell you,” he said. “I just closed my eyes and hoped for the best.
“Turned out well.”
In a frenetic event, the 31-year-old McEvoy was back in the pool just minutes later for the 25m freestyle, which he won in a breathtaking time of 9.39 seconds.
“Have a look at this for a win,” Thompson said. “Almost half a body length in a short course pool.
“What a weapon.”
Rooney added: “Wow, wow, wow. Look at that time. Cam would love to see a 25m freestyle included at world shortcourse events.”
World renowned swimming coach Dean Boxall, who guided Titmus throughout her career among a number of other Aussie greats, was typically excited before the night got underway.
“This is very good. Think of it as a big relay,” he said.
“Finally we get to see swimming as a team sport. It’s the Willy Wonka of swimming,
nothing about times, it’s all about points
“Some people have to forego their pride for Team Australia.”
The World skipped out to a lead in the points competition, with Scotland’s Duncan Scott taking out a 50m freestyle event.
He then took a cheeky dig at absent Australian superstar Chalmers, who had his first child with partner Ingeborg Loyning in August.
“Where is he?” the Scot asked.
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