The Team Time Trial takes the logic of the individual time trial and gives it a club-racing edge. Teams of three race 3km over six 500m laps with Aussie exits, starting at staggered intervals based on their combined entry time. The twist is that the team result is taken from the final swimmer home, which means balance, cohesion and shared performance matter more than relying on one standout athlete.

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That makes this format feel very different from a standard team entry. It rewards depth, discipline and collective strength. Coaches have to think carefully about team selection, pacing and overall squad make-up, while swimmers experience genuine shared pressure throughout the race. The result is a format that feels tactical, modern and strongly club-focused, while still generating individual splits and performance data beneath the team result.

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It also creates a stronger club-versus-club narrative than almost any other format on the programme. Rather than following one swimmer in isolation, spectators can follow the progress of a named team, which keeps interest and rivalry alive across the full race.