New Zealand Olympic swimming hopefuls get their first real chance for months to test themselves in the pool at this weekend's New South Wales swimming championships in Sydney.
Rushdee Warley, Swimming New Zealand's London Olympic campaign manager, said the meeting was vital as a "warrant of fitness" check for coaches to see how swimmers were progressing with less than six months until the Games.
More than 60 swimmers will be making the trip across the Tasman, including 25 in Swimming New Zealand's high performance squads.
Warley said although fast times weren't expected, the high profile meet would provide useful data for coaches ahead of next month's Olympic trials in Auckland.
"The swimmers haven't competed seriously for several months and have been in heavy work schedule," Warley said.
"They're not expecting world class times at this stage, but it will give an indication on development and what they need to work on."
Warley said the meet had attracted some of the world's best swimmers, and would provide an "invaluable" opportunity for race practice at the highest level.
NZN