Swimmers take over Perth CBD to start countdown to Super Series event Christian Sprenger enjoys a laugh at the BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series launch at Perth's Forrest Place. Christian Sprenger and Cate Campbell at the Super Series launch at Perth's Forrest Place. THE weather could hardly have been better for Forrest Place to be taken over by a portable swimming pool today to mark the start of the countdown to the BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series in Perth. Swimming stars Cate Campbell and Christian Sprenger joined water polo players Aaron Younger and Eliesha Browne in the water in Perth's CBD at lunchtime, just 100 days out from the five-country event. The Super Series will see Australian athletes going head-to-head with counterparts from China, Japan, Brazil and South Africa at Challenge Stadium. Eventscorp executive director Gwyn Dolphin said the addition of Brazil and Japan to the competition would help build on last year's event. "Both are strong swimming nations and will ensure a very exciting two days of competition at Challenge Stadium," he said. It's great to see the event evolving and developing like this in only its second year. Swimming Australia should be congratulated for their commitment to bringing international swimming back to Perth. Olympians James Magnussen and Alicia Coutts will also join the strong field in Perth next January. Swimming Australia president John Bertrand said he was glad to see the event return to Western Australia. "Perth has a proud history of hosting successful international swimming events, including the 1991 and 1998 world championships at Challenge Stadium, and we know the people of Western Australia love to support the green and gold," he said. The BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series begins on January 31, with tickets available through Ticketmaster.