Swimming: Healthy medal prospects for Melbourne Games

Outstanding performances at the world championships show New Zealand swimmers are on course for a healthy medal haul at next year's Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

Based on the efforts of those who reached semifinals or finals in Montreal, New Zealand swimmers can expect up to 18 medals - perhaps a trifle optimistic - in March.

The list of hopefuls are headed by Hannah McLean, who left the world championships as the No 1-ranked Commonwealth swimmer in the 100m and 200m backstroke. Dean Kent is similarly ranked in the 200m-400m individual medley.

In Manchester in 2002, the swim team returned home with just a silver and a bronze.

Based on the Montreal results (two swimmers per country; up to three per country can swim at the Commonwealth Games), New Zealand Games medal hopes are.-

Nicola Chellingworth (ranked 3rd) 50m freestyle; Scott Talbot-Cameron (3rd) 50m backstroke; Hannah McLean (3rd) 50m backstroke, (1st) 100m backstroke, (1st) 200m backstroke; Zoe Baker (3rd) 50m breaststroke; Liz Coster (2nd) 50m butterfly; Alison Fitch (3rd) 100m freestyle; Moss Burmester (2nd) 200m butterfly, (2nd) 100m butterfly; Dean Kent (1st) 200m individual medley, (1st) 400m individual medley; Helen Norfolk (3rd) 200m individual medley, (3rd) 400m individual medley; men's medley relay (2nd), women's medley relay (2nd), women's 4x100m freestyle (2nd), women's 4x200m (3rd).