Roland Schoeman © Gallo Images

The Durban-leg of the World Cup takes place on Friday and Saturday and Adriaanse is confident that new world records are on the cards.

“This event is all about the swimmers as well as the significant prize money. The South African contingent will be ably led by Cameron van der Bergh and Roland Schoeman and there is a real chance of seeing records fall,” Adriaanse told a news conference.

After the Durban event the lucrative series moves on to Moscow, Stockholm, Berlin and Singapore and it offers US$1 500 for a first place, US$1 000 for second place and US$500 for a third place in all the events that will be swum.

In addition, at the end of the series, the overall points leader in both the men’s and women’s divisions, will receive US$ 100 000.

FINA, swimming’s world governing body, is happy that the event is back in Durban.

“We have been coming here for six years and all the feedback I receive from swimmers and officials is that Durban is very popular. They enjoy Durban because there is a real passion for swimming here,” said Nadia Atienza, a FINA spokesperson.

The Durban-leg of the World Cup will see 70 international swimmers, as well as 150 South Africans; take to the water with 19 countries being represented.

Unfortunately, the meet suffered an early blow when it was announced that Australia’s Liesel Jones, an Olympic gold medallist and former 100 and 200m breaststroke world record holder, had to withdraw from the event as she contracted a virus shortly before leaving her home country.

Jones’s absence will be offset somewhat by the appearance of fellow Australian Marieke Guehrer.

Guehrer won gold in the 50m butterfly at the FINA World Champions held in Rome earlier this year and, although she is also suffering with illness, she is confident that she will perform well in the three events she has been entered in.

“After Rome, and our short course championships back in Australia, I took about three weeks off and I am slowly getting back into swimming.

“I am feeling a bit ill at the moment but I am sure that racing will help me get back into things,” she said.

Mandy Loots, who has competed in three Olympic Games, will lead the South African women’s charge and the Johannesburg-based swimmer is looking forward to testing herself against the international field.

“For a Johannesburg girl it’s great to be in Durban and swimming at sea level. I am excited about the whole series and it is great to have international competitors here,” she enthused.

Loots will compete in six events the 50, 100 and 200m butterfly, the 200m backstroke and the 100 and 400m individual medley.

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