Swimming: Kiwi swimmers earn respect

New Zealand's swimmers have made themselves the talking point of the world championships in Montreal.

Yesterday saw New Zealanders lined up in another two finals and head coach Jan Cameron said the team had exceeded her wildest expectations.

They are now ranked among the top 12 or 13 countries in the world.

"In Barcelona two years ago we were ranked in the bottom quarter of all countries," Cameron said.

"We are now in the top 13 out of the 45 nations who scored points in having swimmers in semifinals or finals."

The points are scored from 20 (for winning a final), 18 for second, 17 for third and so on down to four (for 16th place).

With relays counting double, New Zealand scored well by having three teams in finals and another, the women's 4x100m medley, in 11th place.

More than 100 countries competed at the championships.

"Top coaches from the US and Australia congratulated us on what we achieved," Cameron said..

"We are being talked about as the emerging nation in world swimming."

Cameron's pre-meet expectations were "probably three or four finals - you don't know what the rest of the world is doing".

To have swimmers in eight finals exceeded the hopes that Cameron, director of coaching Clive Rushton and Swimming New Zealand chief executive Paul Veric had before the team headed to the United States and their final preparations in Knoxville.

Cameron, who is now on her way to Turkey for the World Student Games along with 12 of the world championship swimmers, said she would be very surprised if the good form shown in Montreal did not continue.

"I can see no reason why not. They have produced some outstanding times here and should take that form on to Turkey."

She said she was particularly impressed with Hannah McLean's national open records in the 50m and 100m backstroke, Helen Norfolk's 200m freestyle record as lead-off for the 4x200m relay, and Liz Coster's 50m records in backstroke and butterfly.

"The relays showed just what depth we have in New Zealand," Cameron said.

"Three teams in the top eight equates to 12 swimmers. That shows just what potential we have.

"I can see a full complement of relay teams at next year's Commonwealth Games, although the men's 4x200m freestyle relay face an uphill battle as the entry time is very tough."

Cameron's only disappointment in Montreal was in Corney Swanepoel's failure to reproduce his best form.

"He was our highest-ranked swimmer going into the meet. It was not for the want of trying that he did not show what he is capable of. He will report to Doc Mayhew as soon as he gets back so we can do the necessary tests.

"It might be traced to a growing spurt because he was in great shape before we came here."

After the swimmers return from Turkey some will take a short break before building towards the summer nationals, which have been brought forward from March-April to December and will be used as a one-off qualifying meet for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

Cameron expects between 20 and 25 swimmers to be in Melbourne.

Nick Hill, chief executive of Sparc, which is investing $4.5 million in swimming over four years from late last year, said yesterday that he was "delighted" with the early return.

"Jan Cameron and the other coaches have done a fantastic job."

In yesterday's finals, Zoe Baker finished fifth in the 50m breaststroke, and the 4x100m men's medley relay team were disqualified after a premature start to the butterfly leg.

* The last New Zealand swimmer to reach a final at the world championships was Danyon Loader, who finished eighth in the 400m freestyle at Perth seven years ago.