Games qualifying incentive for best

Erika Fairweather
Erika Fairweather . Photo: ODT files
The process remains the focus.

But there is no escaping the shadow of Olympic qualification for the country’s top swimmers next week.

When the national championships begin in Auckland on Monday, New Zealand’s elite will be chasing times to earn a spot at the Tokyo Games later this year.

Four have already made it there — Otago’s Erika Fairweather, as well as Lewis Clareburt, Zac Reid and Ali Gayler.

Fairweather posted her time in the 400m freestyle late last year and was very close to a 200m qualifier, too.

However, the 17-year-old may not be Otago’s sole qualifier.

Caitlin Deans is well in the mix for the Games in the longer freestyle races.

Breaststroker Ciara Smith is in with a chance, too, as is Dunedin newcomer Luan Grobbelaar in the medley races and 200m backstroke and breaststroke.

While those times will loom large over that contingent, Dunedin swim coach Lars Humer said it was important to focus on how to get there, rather than just getting.

"There’s no getting away from [the Olympic qualifying times]," Humer, who is also the national team coach, said.

"In saying that, the process of what we do in training, the way we hold times in training that reflect our race rehearsal and give us the confidence to be able to swim fast on race day is where we target our energy and our focus.

"If we do those things well we’ll get the result we’re looking for.

"While qualifying for the Olympic Games is the goal, the process is the way to get there.

"I know that's jargon that people hear all the time, but I think the way we package our training and the way we go about it helps the athletes.

"Otherwise you’re just chasing a number, rather than how you’re actually putting the package together."

Humer said the group had been training well.

The switches to Covid-19 Alert Level 2 had been the biggest challenge, as they had disrupted training times.

However, as Covid-19 protocols were likely to be part of the Olympics, he said it was a case of getting used to adapting.

In total 306 swimmers will compete at the event, which will end next Saturday.

 

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