Swimming: Barcelona tickets incentive for most

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Eyes will be on the clock as much as their rivals as New Zealand's best swimmers go stroke-for-stroke at the Kilbirnie Aquatic Centre in Wellington, from tomorrow.

Swimming New Zealand has pencilled in a likely 10 or 12-strong team for July's world championships in Barcelona, but only if the best produce their best in the five-day national event.

The opener - the women's 100m backstroke - promises to be one of the best.

North Shore clubmates Hannah McLean, defending her title, and Melissa Ingram go head-to-head. McLean (1m 02.27s) has been under the required qualifier of 1m 02.93s, Ingram (1m 03.22s) is not far away.

In the men's 100m backstroke, North Shore's Cameron Gibson and Scott Talbot-Cameron could push themselves to the 56.18s needed for the world champs.

Corney Swanepoel, also from North Shore, has already dipped under the 100m butterfly time. Tomorrow night he could drag Otumoetai's Moss Burmester with him.

Dean Kent and Alison Fitch, also members of Jan Cameron's strong Shore squad, are expected to dominate their events.

The pressure will be on Fitch, 23, seeking to retain her 100m and 200m freestyle titles and again go under the qualifying marks. Kent will race the clock in the 200m and 400m individual medley.

Otago's Liz Van Welie, 24, should be untroubled in getting the times, especially in her specialty 200m butterfly.

With Toni Jeffs sidelined through illness, there will be a new 50m freestyle champion. Caroline Pickering (West Auckland) goes into the championships with the best lead-up time (26.12s), but will have to hold off Fitch as they chase the 25.84s qualifying mark.

* Danyon Loader and his coach Duncan Laing will be in Florida for the May 9-10 International Swimming Hall of Fame induction ceremony.



After the Government turned down financial help, the Sentinel Community Trust announced it would pay the pair's airfares and accommodation.