Swimming: New Zealanders race to improve rank

Entry to the top eight in the world is the goal for some of the New Zealand swim team who begin their world championships in Montreal tomorrow (NZ time).

"Melbourne [the 2006 Commonwealth Games] is less than eight months away," head coach Jan Cameron said. "This squad is the deepest in talent since I've been involved.

"We don't have a Danyon Loader but we have a number of swimmers we hope will leave Montreal ranked in the top 20 in the world and with realistic chances of pushing for finals places and medals in Melbourne."

Cameron is looking for some to gain spots in the finals in Montreal, pushing into the world's top eight.

New Zealand has not had a finalist since Loader won a silver and two bronze medals at Perth in 1994.

Main hopes lie with Corney Swanepoel, ranked fourth in the world this year over his favoured 100m butterfly and second in the 50m. Swanepoel, 19, may be a medal chance in Montreal.

Medley swimmers Dean Kent and Helen Norfolk are well-ranked - Kent 21st in the 400m medley and 11th in his favoured 200m. Norfolk is 15th in the 200m but is targeting the 400m.

Backstroker Hannah McLean is 12th in the world this year for the 100m and 19th over the 200m. Moss Burmester is 10th in the world this year over the 200m individual medley.

Christchurch-based Zoe Baker is a prospect in her specialist 50m breaststroke where she holds the world record, and has recorded the fourth best time this year.

- NZPA, HERALD ON SUNDAY