Top New Zealand open water swimmer Cara Baker is looking beyond the prize purse when she competes in the national 10km championship in Taupo on Saturday.
The event doubles as the next step for London Olympic hopefuls, with the first two New Zealanders in each of the men's and women's races progressing to the final Olympic qualifying stage in Portugal in June.
A $5000 winner-takes-all pot for each race is sure to spice things up, but there's one prize Baker has her eye on.
"The first thing for me is to get the job done and get in the top two to go to Portugal," she said.
Baker wants a competitive contest, one that isn't slow and tactical, and she is sure to get her wish with some top-rated Australians, including 2009 5km world champion Melissa Gorman, in the field.
Gorman, who has already qualified for London and is getting in some race practice, won the New Zealand Ocean Swim event in Paihia in December, beating not only Baker, but also all the men.
"It's going to be a good strong race and obviously that's what we need as well," Baker said.
"We need international swimmers to come over to provide such good competition."
Baker and Queensland-based Charlotte Webby will be the favourites to finish as the leading New Zealand women.
In the men's race, Kane Radford, who won the Australian 5km title last year, is likely to face challenges from Casey Glover, Phillip Ryan and Stefan Talbot among the New Zealand contingent.
There will also a strong Australian presence with the inclusion of Trent Grimsey and Josh Richardson.
NZN