SWIMMERS TEST THEMSELVES IN AUSTRALIAN WATERS
A group of British swimmers are set to compete at the 2007
Swimming Australia Open Water Championships from 21-23 December.
Members of next year's World Championship squad selected
to compete in Melbourne in March, will take to Australian
waters where they will look to compete against some of the
top open water swimmers trying to cement their place on the
host nations' team.
Alan Bircher (Bath University), Cassie Patten and Keri-Anne
Payne (both Stockport Metro) will go to Australia with coach
Sean Kelly who heads up the Stockport Metro swimming programme.
With the course at the Australian Championships being the
same for the World Championships, athletes will be given a
chance to familiarise themselves with the surroundings.
For Kelly, it will be the first time he has taken a British
squad abroad for an international open water meet.
"Our preparation to go out there will not be ideal.
The athletes will go straight to compete after arriving in
Australia, and then will fly straight back after competition,
however it will be a useful trip for the swimmers,"
"There is a strong tradition of open water swimming
in Australia, so the strength of the competition will be good
or them " he said.
For Keri-Anne Payne, it will be her first 10km competitive
swim in what is her first open water international appearance.
The Stockport Metro swimmer qualified for the World Championship
squad after a time trial held at Loughborough University last
month.
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