Swimming: Athlete primed for Olympic bid

Cara Baker. Photo / Sarah Ivey

New Zealand swimmer Cara Baker is primed to take on the best in her bid for Olympic selection at the world championship in China tomorrow.

Baker, 21, is the first Kiwi in action at the world championships in Shanghai and the only one who can earn Olympic selection there when she competes in the 10km open water event.

The first 10 women home in the event will earn automatic selection for London. A second qualifying race is in Europe next year.

There's also incentive for the top 30 swimmers, who will be invited to next month's official test event in the much-maligned Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park.

Conditions in Shanghai are expected to be challenging.

Swimming New Zealand open-water coach Philip Rush said the water quality is indifferent at Jinshan City Beach, with the course enclosed by a concrete breakwater.

"Right now the water temperature is at 29C, which is getting close to the upper limit of 31, so heat will definitely be a factor with pacing and nutrition.

"If the breeze gets up, which can happen regularly here, then it will obviously temper the heat but also produce a chop. Cara is quite at home in those conditions."

Rush said Gold Coast-based swimmer and open-water teammate Kane Radford (Rotorua) had impressed with his speed work during the build-up for the 5km race on Friday.

"Both swimmers are in a great frame of mind and ready go."

Meanwhile, the rest of the team are in their taper at their final preparation camp in Hong Kong.

- NZPA