Swimmers will need to be at best to push claims for Glasgow

Swimmers will need to produce their best if they want to press claims for selection for the Commonwealth Games at the State New Zealand Championships starting in Auckland tomorrow.

Swimming New Zealand and the New Zealand Olympic Committee have set challenging qualifying times for the four-day meet which is the only opportunity to qualify for Glasgow for both able bodied and para swimmers.

It is also the trial for the Oceania Championships next month and the Pan Pacific Championships in August. New Zealand had five swimmers qualify with FINA A times for last year’s world championships, with some times required for the Commonwealth Games slightly faster, based on the eighth best time in the Commonwealth in 2012.

Swimming New Zealand High Performance Director Luis Villanueva said swimmers will need to be at their best.

“Based on the times from the world championships our swimmers will need to perform faster than they did if we expect to have more than this number of individuals that meet the qualifying standard for the Commonwealth Games,” he said.

“We are aiming to produce swimmers who are competitive on the world stage. So not only do they need to meet these standards if they wish to be considered for selection, they will then need to work very hard in the next 14 weeks to swim even faster in Glasgow.

“From that point they will need to continue to improve as we plan towards Rio 2016.”

Villanueva said that the high performance swimmers have had their best preparation, particularly the high performance squads in Auckland and Wellington. Both have enjoyed a settled coaching environment during this campaign that has included more training camps that has resulted in more quality training.

“They are in a position to produce best times. Now they need to execute on the day.”

He is also looking to the potential of some relay teams meeting the qualifying standard, especially the men’s and women’s 4x200m freestyle.

“This is a way we can look to develop our depth going forward. Also if they can both qualify, then it is possible both could be medal contenders for the Commonwealth Games.”

The championships begin tomorrow with heats at 10am and finals from 7pm at the West Wave Aquatic Centre in Henderson.

Tomorrow’s key races includes Matt Stanley in the 400m freestyle, Lauren Boyle leading a strong group in the women’s 200m freestyle, Glenn Snyders in the 200m breaststroke and multi Olympic gold medallist Sophie Pascoe in the 200m individual medley.

CAPTION: Lauren Boyle chasing more success at the State New Zealand Open Championships.

The image is free for editorial use only. Credit: Ian Macnicol