fina world cup sydney - event preview
Kirsty Coventry - swimming in Sydney but not in Melbourne
The FINA world cup circus touches down in Sydney this week for the second round of the 2005/2006 series. Following on form the first round in South Africa, the harbour city will host to several of the world's top swimmers as the battle it out in the Olympic Pool.
Most high profile will be the USA's Nathalie Coughlin who will contest the backstroke and freestyle events. Acknowledge as one of the best turners in world swimming, Coughlin will prove a tough rival, even for Australia's golden girls, making their competitive return to Sydney after their magnificent performances in Montreal.
The match ups between the American and the likes of Libby Lenton, Jodie Henry and Alice Mills in the freestyle are a mouth-watering prospect and a good chance to assess early season form for the Australians, who have their Commonwealth Trials shortly after Christmas. The presence of Marleen Veldhuis and Therese Alshammer adds further spice although Lenton in particular has looked strong in the short course format in 2005 and will be no pushover. The Brisbane swimmer set a world record in the 100m freestyle at the Australian Short Course Championships earlier this year and must start as favourite for that event.
The performances of Lenton and Henry over the longer 200m event will also prove interesting; given that both ladies have state their preference to pursue the event internationally, Sydney will give a first real chance to assess their progress. Italy's Federica Pellegrini will be out to spoil the home town fun.
Also making the trip down under, after claiming 6 wins in his home country is South African freestyler Ryk Neethling. The world record holder for the 100IM, Neethling is one of the most versatile swimmers around, having competed at the elite level in every freestyle distance; indeed Neethling will be returning to the pool where he was fifth in the 1500m at the Sydney Olympics. This year he has already before claiming bronze medals in both the 100m and 200m freestyle events in Montreal.
The meet also provides the only chance this season for Australians to see double World Champion Kirsty Coventry in action. Due to sanctions against her native Zimbabwe, the backstroke and medley specialist will be unable to defend the 200IM Commonwealth title she won in Manchester. She'll take on the medley and backstroke in Sydney, where she'll face off against world 50m long course champion Giaan Rooney.
In British terms, there are no official entries, although the form of Zoe Baker will no doubt interest many in the UK. The naturalised New Zealander takes on World Record holder Jade Edmistone of Australia over 50m breaststroke and world long course champion Liesel Jones in the 100m event while she is also slated to swim the 50m butterfly.