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The New Zealand swim team has had their first training session today at their Australian base in the Snowy Mountains ahead of the 12th FINA World Championships in Melbourne.

The bulk of the team travelled to Australia on Sunday, heading to the mountain resort of Thredbo after flying into Canberra.  Head coach Jan Cameron said the training environment at Thredbo was ideal for the team.

“It’s a beautiful place. I know the Australians wanted to come here but it can’t handle them all,” Cameron said.  “The air is clear, the weather is nice and it is a beautiful setting. The pool is a five minute walk and it is a very good set-up.”  The team had their first training session today and will remain in the resort until next Tuesday when they head to Melbourne.

“It was quite a long travel day yesterday with a flight to Sydney and then on to Canberra and a two and a half hour bus trip. But it was definitely worth it. I’m delighted with the facilities and the environment here.”

Open water swimmer Kane Radford (Rotorua) is preparing with the Swimming New Zealand Open Water Coach Carl Gordon and will head to Melbourne this week. The 16 year old is first Kiwi to compete at the world championships in the 5km open water swim at St Kilda this Sunday.

Sprinters Zoe Baker and England-based Cameron Gibson are making their final preparations in Christchurch before meeting up with the team on March 20.

The pool competition begins on Sunday 25 March in the drop-in 50m pool at the Rod Laver Arena.