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An out-of-condition Stephanie Rice received an unlikely confidence boost for the year ahead after exceeding her own expectations with an impressive swimming performance at the grand prix meet in Sydney on Saturday.
While Rice admits she came into the two-day meet with a negative attitude, the triple Olympic gold medallist was upbeat after taking out the 200m individual medley in 2 minutes 13.45 seconds, more than four seconds ahead of her nearest rival.
“I’m definitely surprised how I swam this meet,” said Rice, who finished third in the 100m butterfly on Friday.
“That’s the first 200IM I’ve done since we’ve been back (since national titles last month) … and I felt pretty strong.
“I think I came in here with a pretty negative attitude just because no-one’s really ready to race at this point in time and I’d rather be getting in training that’s sort of moving me forward.
“But I think I’ve turned it into a positive and I’ve got a lot more confidence out of this week than I thought I would have.”
Rice, who admitted she loathed swimming at times last year, said her enjoyment levels were much higher ahead of the Pan Pacs and Commonwealth Games later this year.
“I’m just trying to appreciate everything I’ve been given and enjoy swimming again because ultimately that’s what I love doing,” Rice said.
While Rice endured a low-key meet by her standards, teenage sensation Emily Seebohm rounded out a typically busy meet with wins in the 50m and 100m backstroke and a second in the 100m freestyle on Saturday.
“I guess I would get bored if I only had the one race,” Seebohm said.
The 17-year-old, who could compete in eight different events in Delhi, pushed through the pain barrier after suffering a back strain in the gym.
Leisel Jones completed her treble of breaststroke wins in taking out the 200m in 2:30.98 and broke new ground tactically in completing her last 100 a tenth of second quicker than her first.
“It’s good to try these things …. it’s not fun doing the 200 so this makes it a little bit more interesting,” she said.
Geoff Huegill took out the 50m in 23.85 from Andrew Lauterstein (24.05), a swim he was happy with after recovering from recent illness.
Lauterstein reversed the result in the 100m, finishing first in 53.36.
Swedish 50m butterfly world record holder Therese Alshammar (25.96) set a grand prix record in proving too classy for reigning world champion Marieke Guehrer (26.84) and 14-year-old national champion Yolane Kukla (26.91).
Promising teenager distance swimmer Katie Goldman (4:09.65) was also impressive in winning the women’s 400m freestyle from Blair Evans (4:12.24).