WORLD CUP OUTINGS TO HELP GAMES PREPARATION
A squad of 15 swimmers will fly the British flag at the European
rounds of FINA's World Cup series that begin tomorrow in Stockholm
and conclude this weekend in Berlin.
The majority of the squad will use the two-day meets to continue
preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Australia in March
while others will gain valuable experience of international
competition for the first time.
For the likes of Breaststroke specialist Chris Cook, the
World Cup legs will allow him to work on racing skills while
continuing his training workload in time for the Melbourne
Games which begin on 15th March.
"I'm sure they're going to be fast meets. I think the
kind of form shown at the European Championships last month
will continue and the racing will be fierce in both Stockholm
and Berlin.
"That's what I'm looking for - tough, high-calibre,
fast international racing. When the rest of the field is all
guns blazing and you're still in heavy training it's an amazing
challenge and you draw a lot of confidence from competing
with those guys.
"If I make a podium that would be a fantastic achievement
but realistically if I remain competitive while in full training
then it will be a job well done for me."
Cook's focus is firmly on the Commonwealth Games now and
he is looking forward to the next three months.
"Turning into the new year I feel there's something
ahead for me now. It isn't a case of just wading through mud
- that's what it normally feels like when you're training
through the winter.
"There's something to aim for with the Commonwealth
Games in March and my preparation is changing towards that
aim.
"Sometimes you can fall into the trap of just training
and training, and I feel I need some race preparation as well
which the World Cup legs will give me."
Over recent years the European legs of the World Cup have
been used to blood new British Swimming talent and this year
is no exception with seven of the 15 members relative newcomers
to the international scene.
Head Coach Bill Pilczuk will lead the squad teamwhich goes
head-to-head with some of the world's biggest names in Stockholm
on 17th and 18th January and continues in Berlin on 21st and
22nd January.
"The younger members of the squad will use these World
Cups to gain valuable racing experience," explained Pilczuk.
"There will be no rest for the athletes as we'll expect
them to get up to race against the big hitters there while
in full training.
"They'll be able to see first hand what an international
meet is all about and how the biggest names in the sport deal
with the occasion.
Pilczuk is also expecting some improved times from the younger
group as they are pulled along by the quality of the meet.
"These World Cup rounds are usually quite fast so we're
hoping the youngsters can rise to this and put in some good,
quick times."
The British squad comprises:
Kirsty Balfour (City of Edinburgh)
James Clarke (Millfield)
Matt Clay (University of Bath)
Chris Cook (City of Newcastle)
Jonathan Cook (Nova Centurion)
James Gibson (Loughborough University)
Kris Gilchrist (City of Edinburgh)
Kate Haywood (Loughborough University)
James Johnson (City of Newcastle)
Mel Marshall (Loughborough University)
Dean Milwain (City of Derby)
Max Partridge (City of Sheffield)
Jonathan Quinn (Hatfield)
Liam Tancock (Loughborough University)
Liam Turner (City of Cardiff)
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