SPRINTERS SET FOR BLOCK PARTY AT DUEL IN THE POOL
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Canberra, May 8:When Olympic champion and world record holder Libby Trickett first jumped off the blocks at the AIS pool earlier this week in preparation for the Duel in the Pool against Japan something was different.
Standing on the new track-start style blocks for the first time, the 24-year-old relaxed, worked out a setting that would work best for her and jumped in for yet another training session under coach Grant Stoelwinder.
A further dozen or more dives to test the new blocks and Trickett was on her way to being convinced by one of the latest innovations in the sport to enhance performance and further entertain the crowds with the lure of more world records.
Will she use the new track-start in this weekend's Duel in the Pool, maybe and that is due to the fact that the blocks will not be in use at the FINA World Championships in July, but that is not to say the dual Olympian and current world record holder in the 50 and 100m freestyle won't switch to the new starting system post Rome.
"I think I will try it out in a couple of races, but whether that's in all of them or not, I'm just not sure just yet," said Trickett.
"I do need to get a bit more practice on it because the position of your foot on the back of the block can change the angle of entry into the water, but if you get it just right it could be very beneficial. The people who do it right, should show some good improvements so it's something that I'm trying to embrace even though I do like me current start."
One of a dying breed who still use the two feet, flat start as opposed to the track start, Trickett will swim in the 50 and 100m freestyle, the mixed 4x100 freestyle relay, the 4x100 women's freestyle relay and the 4x100 medley relay over the two day Duel in the Pool format.
"The blocks are an interesting addition to that side of our sport. I wouldn't have ever thought that the starting blocks could change as much as they have, and for me being a two feet at the front of the blocks starter, I'll have to completely change my start to utilize the blocks properly, so I'll have to play around with it and see if it's faster than the current start that I already have."
One swimmer who will be looking at the blocks for a potential improvement, even if only a fraction, will be Trickett's training partner and fellow sprinter Eamon Sullivan.
Having recently lost his 50m freestyle world record to Frenchman Frederick Bousquet (20.94), Sullivan will use the new blocks from the word go in a bid for points against Japan first and foremost.
"This is the first time that I've used them and I think it's one of those things that's going to take a little bit of time to get used to," said Sullivan.
"I think you can definitely over compensate with your back leg now, and over rotate and enter at a bad angle, so you could see some bad diving this weekend but you could see some good ones so it's going to be interesting to see how it plays out."
"It's obviously similar to the track running starts and if you know how to use it properly I think you can get the right power, but it's about power, angle and getting the right entry. If you enter too sharply you can create a lot of resistance through your back and your front so you've got to get it right."
Sullivan will be hoping to get it right tomorrow when races in the 100m freestyle and 4x100m freestyle relay.
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.