Swimming: Kiwis 'not dwelling on suits' in race for medals

New Zealand coach Jan Cameron is determined her team won't be distracted by the swimsuit controversy which threatens to overshadow the world championships in Rome.

As her Australian counterpart Alan Thompson predicted almost every world record could fall when the pool action starts tomorrow, the 10-strong New Zealand team were mulling over which suits to wear.

Cameron hoped some of the fastest polyurethane suits, manufactured by Swimming New Zealand (SNZ) sponsor Arena, would be made available to her swimmers in Rome.

"SNZ has decided each swimmer wear whatever suits they wish, and we're waiting to see what availability there is in the next few days," Cameron said. "We haven't let our preparation be all about the suits. We're not dwelling on it ... but it's something (world governing body FINA) really have to sort out."

New Zealand's best medal chance, Moss Burmester (200m butterfly), stated before the team left for Rome he would stay loyal to his contract with Speedo, who also sponsor American superfish Michael Phelps.

Most of the 41-strong Australian team were given the option and reportedly ditched the Speedo LZR-Racer, overtaken by previously banned suits from other manufacturers which were recently approved by FINA.

Burmester is fifth in the 200m butterfly world rankings in 2009, and is looking to climb an elusive podium after fourth placings at the 2007 world championships in Melbourne and last year's Olympics in Beijing.

He swam a personal best of 1m 53.14s at the national trials this year and will have to go well under 1m 53s to be a medal hope.

Cameron said the potential absence of Hungary's Laszlo Cech, who was reportedly considering the 200m individual medley instead, could help Burmester's medal chances.

"It's a little bit murky and it depends on who turns up on the day. We know Moss has to swim better than he ever has before, but he's improved every year and we're confident he can improve again."

Burmester was hoping to become just the fifth New Zealander to win a world championships medal, and the first since Trent Bray (200m freestyle bronze in 1998).

The medley relay team of Daniel Bell, Glenn Snyders, Corney Swanepoel and Cameron Gibson finished an excellent fifth in Beijing but Cameron said a medal in Rome was only a slim chance.

"They're certainly not out of it but it's not reasonable to look at medals for them yet. (Backstroker) Daniel Bell is still only 19 and needs more time to mature so he can drop down to 52sec (for the 100m)."

Swanepoel has the 14th fastest time of 2009 in his specialist 100m butterfly. while Snyders, a 200m breaststroke finalist in Beijing, has been battling a knee injury in the leadup.

Cameron said the aim for her young team, without long-serving duo Helen Norfolk and Dean Kent who retired after Beijing, remained the same: improve their personal bests and world and Commonwealth rankings, with qualifying standards for next year's Commonwealth Games still to be set.

Cameron's swimmers topped off a smooth preparation this week in Teramo, a village about 2 hours' drive from Rome.

"It's an idyllic setting; we've had the whole 50m pool to ourselves, clear blue skies, everyone's been very welcoming."

- NZPA