Keeping her eyes on the prize, Cate Campbell is on the verge of becoming Australian swimming's biggest money earner in a single year with another win at the World Cup series finale in Doha.
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The former world champion on Friday (AEDT) claimed the 50m freestyle final in a scorching 24.11 seconds, holding out Sweden's Michelle Coleman and her younger sister Bronte Campbell on the opening night of Doha's three-day meet.
It was the same time that earned her 2019 world titles bronze, marking the 14th sub-24.5 mark this year alone and a staggering 72nd career swim in that time zone.
But Campbell, 27, is in sight of a much more remarkable achievement this weekend with overall prize money of $A300,000 now almost in her grasp.
The former world record holder came into the Qatar finale which concludes on Sunday morning (AEDT) leading the World Cup women's standings with 300 points ahead of Hungary's "Iron Lady" Katinka Hosszu (276pts).
Her 50m heroics ensures she is on track to finish on top of the standings for the final two Cup rounds - called a cluster - in Kazan and Doha and receive $A72,555 in prize money.
And if Campbell emerges as the women's No.1 for the entire Cup series which is contested in a 50m pool, the triple Olympian will claim $A218,000.
There is also $146,000 on offer for the overall runner-up and $A73,000 for third.
Campbell is already buzzing after winning the last Cup cluster in October, snapping up $A72,555 in prize money.
Cash prizes in individual World Cup events are also on offer with $A2200, $A1450 and $A725 handed out to the top three place-getters respectively.
Campbell is considered a lock for the 100m freestyle final to be held in Doha this weekend.
She will also get a share of any World Cup relay earnings with $A4353, $A2900 and $A1450 awarded respectively to teams on the podium.
Then there is the International Swimming League where Campbell has already earned $A23,500 over just two legs of the 25m, short course competition.
She is expected to earn more than $A11,500 at the next leg in London from November 23-24 competing for her team London Roar.
And if they make the final at Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino from December 20-21 - which features the top two European and US teams - $A14,500 goes to each swimmer for the winning outfit.
Meanwhile, other World Cup opening night medallists for Australia were Brad Woodward (200m backstroke gold), Mikkayla Sheridan (400m freestyle silver), Kaylee McKeown (50m backstroke silver), Emily Seebohm (50m backstroke bronze) and Meg Bailey (200m butterfly bronze).
Australian Associated Press
