'Pool just awesome'

IT HAS not taken long for Ian Powell to describe the 2006 Commonwealth Games swimming venue as 'the perfect pool'. Speaking after the Guernsey team's second training session at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre, which houses two 50m pools as well as a 25m one, Powell could not help but gaze in awe around the impressive venue which will hold around 9,000 spectators.

He was also wary of not setting himself too-high targets for the Games, mainly because as he looked out from the main bank of seating, he saw the host nation's team going through their paces.

Just to put the situation into context, moments earlier the seven-strong Sarnian squad had been allocated one lane of the competition pool in which to train alongside a couple of the smaller teams.

The large Australian team of 53 swimmers had taken over the whole 10-lane pool with a coach for every lane.

'Just to swim fast, get some personal bests and island records and enjoy the experience,' was Powell's measured answer to what would make it a successful Games for him.

'It definitely helps that I know what to expect and how everything works. It is a bit different to Manchester - this place holds quite a few more people and they love their swimming here. It is going to be a fantastic atmosphere and will really get the adrenaline pumping.'

The Florida-based Sarnian joined up with his six teammates on Saturday morning after a lengthy journey that took him from Tallahassee to Atlanta to Los Angeles before boarding a plane for Australia.

'It was a long flight. I can still feel it in my legs. I just need a couple more sessions to get over it properly.

'It is great to be back with the boys and Gail. It is always good fun to be with them.'

The ever-amiable 20-year-old is looking in good shape ahead of his second Games and feels his preparation work over the last couple of months will stand him in good stead for the challenges that lie ahead.

'Basically, I have just been training in Florida. We had a long course training camp over Christmas, which I enjoyed and I have benefited from.

'Overall, training has gone very well. I have been working hard and it has been a lot of fun,' added Powell, who will be competing in backstroke and butterfly events down under.