RICE AND RICKARD READY FOR JAPANESE DUEL IN THE POOL
Canberra, May 7: Triple gold medallist from Beijing Stephanie Rice, and AIS-based OIympic silver medallist Brenton Rickard were just two of the 41 swimmers in action this morning as the Telstra Dolphins Australian Swim team stepped up preparations for this weekend's Duel in the Pool against Japan.
In Canberra for a six-day orientation camp, which includes the Duel in the Pool meet over the weekend, the 2009 FINA World Championship team will also be joined by the National Youth team to take on the Japanese in the points based head-to-head racing format.
Rice from St Peters Western in Queensland and coached by Michael Bohl is likely to compete in three events during the Duel in the Pool, the 200m and 400m individual medley, and the 200m freestyle and says she's looking forward to racing after some heavy training in preparation for Rome.
"It's going to be interesting racing now because I haven't raced for quite a long time and haven't really done anything too serious since obviously Beijing and then the Trials (in March). I didn't really get any break after the Trials so I'm looking forward to seeing where I am at the moment," said Rice.
"I think it's different for everyone, but for me definitely I struggle a lot when training is hard and I am often run down and sore, but at this point in time the goal is obviously Rome so I don't really want to rest up too much leading into that."
Rice will join the likes of Libby Trickett, Cate Campbell and Jessicah Schipper as the Aussie women look to get the better of their Japanese opponents who have just completed their own World Championship Trials with four swimmers already ranked number one in the world this year.
"The Japanese are extremely strong and have a great team and this is the first time that we have raced them for a Duel in the Pool, so I'm really looking forward to the challenge and it's going to be completely different to racing the Americans," said Rice.
With the Aussie women set for the Japanese challenge, so too are the 21 male swimmers which also includes Beijing individual medallists Eamon Sullivan, Andrew Lauterstein and Hayden Stoeckel, with duel Olympic silver medallist, Rickard looking forward to a duel of a different variety.
Rickard is set to swim the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke and is likely to come up against some world class opposition in one of Japan's real up and comers Yuta Suenaga.
"Obviously the Japanese swam very well at their trials recently so it's going to be pretty stiff competition, but I'm really looking forward to the opportunity," said Rickard.
"The young guy (Suenaga) swam really well at their trials to win the 200m so that's obviously going to be a real challenge and I think a lot of the guys will have some tough races."
Rickard, who has been based at the AIS under coach Vince Raleigh, since moving to Canberra four and a half years ago will 
look to return to his home State of Queensland and the Gold Coast after the World Championships in Rome, but for now is focused on maximising the racing opportunities he and his teammates will get this weekend.
"I think it's one of the most important parts of training, you can train all you want but if you can't race you are not going to get the results you want and although it will be interesting to see how fast everyone swims in heavy training, the actual act of racing and trying to put your body on the line will be the important part of it."
Rickard's coach Raleigh who is also heading up the men's team for this Duel in the Pool meet is realistic of what to expect considering the times the Japanese have posted and the training load that the Dolphins members have been under.
"It will be a challenge for us. On paper, going on what has happened at trials, the Japanese men are stronger than us, but from the Olympics we have five individual medallists so while we do need to aim up a little bit, it will be a good competition," said Raleigh.
"The chance to have Japan here, early in our main preparation for worlds is a great opportunity for us and for Japan."
Australia's Telstra Dolphins will be in Canberra for their World Championship orientation camp until May 13 training and competing at the Australian Institute of Sport.
DUEL IN THE POOL
START TIMES: Saturday May 9 (4.30pm); Sunday May 10 (2pm) AIS Pool, Canberra
TELEVISION: The Duel in the Pool will be televised on Channel Ten's 24/7 sports network ONE HD on Saturday, May 9: 6pm to 8.20pm and Sunday, May 10: 5pm to 7.30pm.
REPLAYS: The Saturday program will be replayed on Tuesday May 12 at 2.30pm and the Sunday will be replayed on Wednesday May 13 at 2.30pm.