London Lure for Baker in World Open Water Swim

New Zealand swimmer Cara Baker is primed to take on the best in her bid for Olympic selection at the FINA World Championship in China on Tuesday.

The 21 year old Baker is the first New Zealander in action at the world championships in Shanghai and the only one who can earn Olympic selection in China when she competes in the 10km Open Water event.

The first 10 women home in the 10km event will earn automatic selection for London with a second qualifying race 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 will be challenging for the world’s best although may fall into the hands of the New Zealander.

Swimming New Zealand Open Water Coach Philip Rush said the water quality is indifferent at the Jinshan City Beach with the course enclosed by a concrete breakwater which can produce a chop especially if the offshore breeze picks up.

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

“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 which will be to her benefit.”

Rush said the Gold Coast-based swimmer and open water teammate Kane Radford (Rotorua), who will compete in the 5km event, have been taking extra care with food and hygiene.

“Cara looks great and her preparation has gone really well. Right now her health is 10 out of 10 but of course China is a very difficult place to travel with food and hygiene and we have been very careful in this respect.

“Two days out from race day, the tension is mounting around the hotel where all the swimmers are based. We are just doing our own thing and trying to keep very relaxed and calm.”

Rush said Radford has also impressed with his speed work during the build-up and is now into his taper towards 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 and will head into Shanghai later this week with the pool competition beginning next Sunday.