LEISEL JONES BACK IN ACTION

05.11.2009

Olympic gold medallist and short course world record holder Leisel Jones will return to international racing this weekend at the two-day FINA Arena World Cup meet in Moscow, starting tomorrow.

Jones will contest the 50, 100 and 200m breaststroke in her first major international meet since taking a break after the 2008 Beijing Olympics where she won gold in the 100m breaststroke.

The meet also marks the start of a significant block of competitive swimming for the gifted 24-year-old from Victoria.

Coach Rohan Taylor from the Nunawading Swim Club in Melbourne club says, “this is the beginning of a specific campaign for Leisel.”

“It’s basically five competitions in four weeks, and the aim is to have her ready at the back end of November by improving her fitness through racing, rather than training,” said Taylor.

Jones will also compete at consecutive World Cup meets in Stockholm, Berlin and Singapore before returning to Australia for the 2009 Speedo AIS International to be held from November 25-27.

“Despite having a break from major international competition she hasn’t really stopped training and has been in a maintenance stage for some time now, “said Taylor.

“The racing will also give us a clear indication of the things we need to focus in on, and she will probably do more volume of work away, than she would have if she was just training at home.”

Once back in Australia Jones will compete at the AIS meet before heading to the Queensland, Victoria and NSW state championships over the summer with a block of quality training and competition behind her.

The focus for Jones will then be on selection in the Telstra Dolphins Australian swim team following the Telstra Australian Swimming Championships in March.

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