The action in Chengdu isn't over yet. After a stunning day of individual racing on May 9, the Jintang District venue shifts its focus to team competition as thirteen nations line up for the first Mixed Relay Cup of the 2026 season. With tired legs, fresh tactics, and everything still to race for, Sunday promises another compelling chapter in what has already been a memorable weekend.
Let's take a look at the provisional start lists, even though some changes in the composition of the teams are still allowed until two hours before the start of the race.
Great Britain arrive with a card up their sleeve. Sian Rainsley was sharp in Saturday's individual women's race, finishing sixth, but it is Jessica Fullagar who adds an intriguing element to the GBR lineup — fresh legs coming into Chengdu exclusively for the relay, having not raced in the individual events. Alongside Max Stapley and Jack Willis on the men's legs, Great Britain have the depth and the energy to mount a serious challenge for the podium.
Fresh off a strong individual day, Team Australia will also be dangerous. Sophie Malowiecki and Aspen Anderson both showed top-ten form in Saturday's women's race, while the men's legs of Callum McClusky and Brayden Mercer add further depth. A well-balanced squad capable of challenging at the front throughout.
France may be another of the teams to beat. Nils Serre Gehri goes into the relay on a high after his stunning silver medal in the men's individual race on Saturday and will presumably anchor the team on the final leg. Candice Denizot and Thomas Hansmaennel showed explosive transition speed on Saturday, and Ilona Hadhoum rounded out the top ten in the women's race.
17-year-old Fanni Szalai, the fastest swimmer of the day and the youngest athlete in the field, will bring that same fearlessness to the relay on the third leg. Hungary are a wildcard with real upside — if Szalai fires again, salong with Karolina Helga Horvath, Gyula Kovacs and Zsombor Devay they can be fighting for podium positions.
Team Italy is lining up a compact, experienced squad: Carlotta Missaglia, Miguel Espuna Larramona, Asia Mercatelli and Nicola Azzano, with the goal set on stay in the lead group through the female legs and let their men do the rest.
The USA will line up a young team that is really hungry to show their potential, with Eleanor Beveridge, Keller Norland, Braxton Legg and Kelly Wetteland ready to make an statement on Sunday. Team Spain also relies on young talent, including Sara Guerrero Manso, Pelayo González Turrez, Ana Carballo and Antonio Serrat Seoane on their line up.
Team Canada's relay card is anchored by bronze medallist Tyler Mislawchuk, who proved on Saturday that he thrives in the heat of a tight finish. With the experienced Canadian leading the second leg and Martin Sobey closing out, and Sophie Howell and Isla Britton in the team, this team has a proven big-race performer right where it matters most.
Portugal is lining up Madalena Amaral Almeida, Gustavo Do Canto, Mariana Vargem and Tomás Figueiredo, while Ana Maria Valentina Torres Gomez, Nicolas Probert Vargas, Marcela Alvarez Solis and Aram Michell Peñaflor Moysen will be representing Team Mexico.
Tallulah Wright, Oscar Coggins, Bailee Brown and Tak Long Yip will be representing Hong Kong, and Herlene Natasha Yu , Li Rong Luke Chua, Yen Ling Kathlyn Yeo and Yi Jun Tey will line up for Singapore.
Racing on home soil, China will be cheered on by the supportive Chengdu crowd. Siyi Zhang, Yunxiang Ma, Xinyu Lin and Xirui Zhang will give everything they have.