By Michelle Pickles
Moss Burmester is on his way to the United States where he will compete in the Pan Pacific Swim Championships later this month.
Burmester is the first to admit he has been out of form recently. The 29-year-old is hoping the champs will be a step in the right direction, as he looks to defend his Commonwealth Games title in Delhi in October.
Despite all the hours in the pool, the results have been disappointing for Burmester.
“My racing recently hasn't been going terribly well,” he says.
“You know a few things haven't quite gelled together yet, so been working on those. So hopefully I swim a lot better at Pan Pacific’s.”
One of the things Burmester has struggled with is the banning of the full-length swim suits.
Burmester has worn a full-length suit for most of his career and says he has found it difficult to adjust - both physically and psychologically.
“I think a lot of it you know its like shaving down, you put the suit on and it’s kind of special,” he says.
Burmester has also had a change of coach. He is now under the guidance of national coach Mark Regan.
“Happened over the last four weeks I suppose - so a bit of a honeymoon period - but he's getting better,” says Regan.
“He's improving. The motivation now is he wants to repeat what he did at the commonwealth games four years ago.”
Burmester won the 200 fly in Melbourne and took bronze in the 100.
He will only race the 200 in Delhi and while he admits he won't be the favorite, he believes he can defend his title.
“Its going to be tough but I wouldn't go into a competition not thinking that. If you do that straight away putting yourself at a disadvantage, always go in there aiming to do the best that I can do,” says Burmester.
While the motivation is still there, Burmester is not sure what his long term future holds.
“I guess depending on how I go in Delhi will help me decide if I go for London. If I do go for London that will probably be it for me. I've decided to wait and see how things go.”
Regan says he will support Burmester regardless.
“Whatever Moss decides after Commonwealth Games I want him to have no regrets. I just want him to get up there and give it his best shot,” says Regan.
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