Torpedo Swimtalk Podcast with Sharon Crisafi - From Wollongong To World Champion: Training, Tactics, And Tough Conditions

Send us Fan MailWhat does it take to win an open water race when the water itself feels like a warm bath? On this week's Torpedo Swimtalk Podcast we sit down with Australian Masters standout Sharon Crisafi to unpack the 3km World Masters title she earned in Singapore - where heat, humidity and chop turned the race into a physiological and tactical puzzle. Sharon breaks down how she and her coach built a plan around the environment: hunting down warm indoor pools during winter, adding a wetsuit to simulate heat stress, and drilling race pace sets until the target speed felt familiar under fatigue.We walk through the race from the pontoon to the final touch: drafting early to curb pacing nerves, taking the lead on lap two when the tempo dipped, and holding form through lap three. Sharon shares why she skipped mid-race fluids, how she fought to rehydrate after, and what she’d change next time. We zoom out to her full training picture—core pool sessions a week, open water practice, and strength work built around the swim chain with endurance-focused reps.You’ll hear practical open water tactics you can copy right away: sighting advice, reading currents and ferry wake and understanding why ocean pace rarely equals pool pace. Sharon also opens up about managing nerves and aiming for Budapest with a realistic plan for freshwater and a deeper field. If you care about open water strategy, heat acclimation, and training that respects real life while still chasing fast, this conversation is a blueprint.Enjoyed the show? Follow or subscribe, leave a quick review, and share this episode with a swimmer who loves the ocean. Your support helps more athletes find Torpedo Swimtalk.Support the showYou can connect with Torpedo Swimtalk:WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeSign up for our NewsletterSupport the showLeave us a reviewTorpedo Swimtalk is sponsored by AMANZI SWIMWEAR#swim #swimmer #swimming #mastersswimmer #mastersswimmers #mastersswimming #openwaterswimmer #openwaterswimmers #openwaterswimming #swimminglover #swimmingpodcast #mastersswimmingpodcast #torpedoswimtalkpodcast #torpedoswimtalk #tstquicksplashpodcast #podcast #podcaster #podcastersofinstagram #swimmersofinstagram #swimlife #swimfit #ageisjustanumber #health #notdoneyet