The 2018 season officially gets underway Thursday morning with the first stop on USA Swimming's TYR Pro Swim Series at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center in Austin, Texas.

2018 TYR Pro Swim Series - Austin

January 11-14

Austin, Texas

Long Course Meters (LCM)

EVENT HUB

Series Schedule

• Austin, Texas - Jan. 11-14
• Atlanta, GA - March 1-4
• Mesa, AZ - April 12-15
• Indianapolis, IN - May 17-20
• Santa Clara, CA - June 14-17
• Columbus, Ohio - July 6-8

While this year's circuit brings all of the same familiar faces, there are a few new twists to keep an eye on as the season progresses — including a new title sponsor in TYR (previously arena swimwear).

Increased Prize Money

Most notable for the competing athletes, USA Swimming has upped the ante on prize money. Previously, the rewards were $500 for a first-place event finish, $300 for second, and $100 for third. They have now doubled.

All individual Olympic events

• $1,000 - 1st place
• $600 - 2nd place
• $200 - 3rd place

50s Of Stroke (Shootout)

• $200 - Top 4 finishers in 1st round of shootout
• $400 - Top 2 finishers in 2nd round of shootout
• $600 - Winner of shootout

*There will be no prize money or points for the Mystery Individual Medley or Mixed Medley Relay

USA Swim Squads

One of the most significant twists is the introduction of the Swim Squads. Essentially, the national team has been split into four squads (teams) that will compete for points and a grand prize throughout the 2018 Pro Swim Series, plus the 2018 National Championships.

How does it work?

1. Form Squads

• At the 2017 Golden Goggles, four retired Olympians who are serving as captains — Lenny Krayzelburg, Jason Lezak, Natalie Coughlin, and Kaitlin Sandeno — drafted teams.
• The full team rosters can be found here.

2. Score Points

• Prior to each meet, the captains will choose six athletes from their squad to score points.
• The six athletes will be assigned across six event categories (one athlete per category) and can score points in maximum of two events from that category.

Event Categories

1. Free (50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m)
2. Back (50m, 100m, 200m)
3. Breast (50m, 100m, 200m)
4. Fly (50m, 100m, 200m)
5. IM (200m, 400m)
6. Flex (Any two races)

Points Awarded Up To 8th Place

• 1st place: 10 points
• 2nd place: 8 points
• 3rd place: 7 points
• 4th place: 5 points
• 5th place: 4 points
• 6th place: 3 points
• 7th place: 2 points
• 8th place: 1 point 

3. Squad Goals

• The squad with the most points will donate $10,000 to the charity of its choice and each squad member will win sponsor prizes.

50m Shootouts, Mixed Medley, & Mystery IM

The odd-number stops — Austin, Mesa, and Santa Clara — will feature the most changes on the 2018 circuit.

There will be a shootout-style format for all four 50-meter stroke events, a "Mystery IM," and a mixed medley relay featuring chosen national team athletes.

For the shootout, there will be multiple rounds with eight swimmers in the first round, four in the second round, and two going head-to-head in the final round. The prize money is as follows:

• $200 - Top 4 finishers in 1st round of shootout
• $400 - Top 2 finishers in 2nd round of shootout
• $600 - Winner of shootout

The Mystery IM will occur at the end of Saturday night's finals session and feature the top eight finishers from the 200m IM. The order of the four strokes will be determined immediately prior to the start of the event. There will be no prize money or points allocated for this event.

The mixed medley relay will take place at the end of Thursday night's finals session. There will be no prize money or points allocated for this event.