"RACING II ROME" HAS SWIM TEAM FIRED UP FOR TRIALS
Sydney, January 20: The countdown is on for the 2009 Telstra Australian Swimming Championships (Selection Trials for the 13th FINA World Championships in Rome) with the cream of Australia's swimmers set to converge on the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre from March 17-22.
The stars of Australia's successful Olympic campaign to Beijing, which netted 20 medals - six of them gold - will be on show as the Telstra Dolphins prepare to take on the world from July 26 to August 2.
Some of the biggest names in the sport Eamon Sullivan, Stephanie Rice, Andrew Lauterstein, Libby Trickett and Brenton Rickard are just five of the athletes who are "Racing II Rome."
Lauterstein has been in surprising form after becoming the fastest Australian in Australia over 100 metres butterfly, clocking 51.73 to win the Victorian Championship.
And his hopes of becoming the first Australian under 51 seconds at the Telstra Australian Championships "are looking good."
"I know if I am going to make my mark on world swimming it has to be this year," said Lauterstein, who is thriving in the atmosphere created in the NSWIS "Super squad."
"I was well under my goal time at the Victorian State Championships and I have only just started swimming butterfly again in recent weeks after my shoulder operation, so that's encouraging.
"It would be nice to swim faster at Trials and faster again at the World Championships."
Lauterstein will contest the 50 and 100 metres butterfly and the 50 and 100m freestyle at a condensed six-day Trials program.
And he will have his main training partners, young gun Garth Kates, comeback king Geoff Huegill and fellow Olympic relay bronze medallist Matt Targett to contend with in the 50m butterfly.
Lauterstein is also banking on another NSWIS training-partner, Olympic silver medallist and world record holder Eamon Sullivan, being back in full flight after his hip operation.
"Eamon is back in the gym and looking pretty good - he has been in this position before and he is concentrating on the positives - he'll be there," said Lauterstein.
"We want to remain competitive against the USA and France in the relays - that is a big part of our campaign this year."
Tickets are on sale now through Ticketek. Prices range between $29 and $10 for A-Reserve and B-Reserve finals seats and include a Family Pass (two adults and two juniors) of $75 for A reserve finals. An adult season pass can be purchased for $242 which includes entry to all heats and all finals sessions. To purchase a Season Pass contact Ticketek on 132 849 or visit and Ticketek Agency.
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