Swimming: Slick times expected at short course meet

Some slick performances are expected at the national summer short course swimming championships starting in Auckland on Thursday.

Leading New Zealand swimmers are on a roll after encouraging performances at the Athens Olympics, the world short course championships in the United States and recent World Cup meets.

The short course championships, at the West Save Aquatic Centre in Waitakere City, replace the former winter event, and New Zealand Swimming national director of coaching Clive Rushton expects positive results.

"The previous system never allowed our international swimmers to have a break, and never fitted in with their programmes going forward," Rushton said.

"It just didn't fit in with the international calendar for our top swimmers and was really designed as a domestic competition. Our top swimmers were caught between a rock and a hard place.

"Our Olympic swimmers had a break after Athens and are now back in training and producing some encouraging form.

"And we have developed the next echelon of swimmers at the world short course, the World Cups and the Commonwealth youth championships.

"This meet fits into their plans and our top swimmers are all in good shape for this meet."

While there are no major team selections after the meet, Rushton believes national records and improved international rankings will result from the three-day meet.

"We've gone to the World Cup three-day format, and I am expecting some really good performances."

The meet will provide an ideal litmus test on preparations for a meeting at this time next year when trials are held for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

"Our swimmers and coaches will be able to gauge their preparations for this meet to ensure they are in the best possible shape for the trials at the same time next year," Rushton said.

He said he was delighted with the progress not only from the top group of swimmers, but the next group of swimmers who have shown excellent return from recent international opportunities.

- NZPA