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Arena USA GP Tour: $150,000 Prize Pot

Jan 7, 2013

USA Swimming has announced fresh details for the 2012-2013 Arena Grand Prix Series, including $150,000 in prize money. The next stop of the six-meet series will take place January 18-20 in Austin, Texas.

As part of USA Swimming’s new, eight-year partnership with Arena, the Arena Grand Prix Series will offer swimmers the opportunity to take home prize money for top finishes in all individual Olympic-distance events, the federation noted.

"In each event, first-place finishers will receive $500, second-place finishers will earn $300 and swimmers in third place will take home $100*. Prize money will be distributed for each meet in the Series, including the Minnesota Grand Prix, which took place in November. In past years, a $20,000 purse was awarded to the overall winner of the entire Series," USA Swimming announced.

 “Since its inception, the Grand Prix Series was designed to showcase the best swimming talent in the country,” said Frank Busch, USA Swimming’s National Team Director. “We’ve always envisioned having this type of prize money to strengthen the level of competition at these meets, and with Arena’s support, it’s become a reality and will help take swimming in the U.S. to the next level.”

 “Our partnership with USA Swimming Grand Prix Series opens up new avenues for Arena to support talented swimmers in many ways," said Tim McCool, Vice President and General Manager of Arena North America. "We are not only committed to helping athletes perform at their best, but to give recognition in their results. The Arena Grand Prix Series is the perfect platform to celebrate swimming at an elite level on an annual basis and we look forward to making this a bigger event for both the athletes and well as the spectators in the years to come”.

 Swimming fans across the country will also have the opportunity to watch the action from the next stop of the Arena Grand Prix Series - The Austin Grand Prix. The Universal Sports Network will broadcast the event live on January 19 and 20 from 7-8:30 p.m. ET. Check local listings for channels and times in your area.

 The three-day meet in Austin, Texas will take place January 18-20 and will feature Olympic gold medalists Missy Franklin, Tyler Clary and Ricky Berens.

 2012-2013 Arena Grand Prix Schedule:

  • Austin Grand Prix, Austin, Texas, Jan. 18-20
  • Orlando Grand Prix, Orlando, Fla., Feb. 14-16
  • Mesa Grand Prix, Mesa, Ariz., April 11-13
  • Charlotte Ultraswim Grand Prix, Charlotte, N.C., May 9-12
  • Santa Clara Grand Prix, Santa Clara, Calif. May 30-June 2