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SYDNEY, May 11, 2009 (AFP) - Australia's triple Olympic gold medallist Libby Trickett is swimming near her peak and in form to challenge her 100-metres freestyle world record at next month's Mare Nostrum tour of Europe, her coach said Monday.
Trickett swam under 53 seconds over the distance four times in individual and relay events at the Duel in the Pool meet against Japan in Canberra at the weekend indicating faster times in the leadup to July's world championships.
Trickett, 24, holds the 100m record at 52.88 seconds and will be competing on the Mare Nostrum circuit at Barcelona, Cannes and Monaco in June before finishing with a Paris meet.
Grant Stoelwinder, who also coaches former 50/100m freestyle world record holder Eamon Sullivan, said Trickett's progress was a good sign for the next part of her preparation for the worlds.
"It was very impressive to have her go under 53 on four occasions, two in relays," Stoelwinder said.
"I feel good about the way she is going and with the next block of racing that we are going to do in Europe, hopefully she can do more 52sec and do better than 52 highs.
"The more she can do around those times the better she is going to be when she comes to race at the worlds."
Trickett collected the award for the Female Swimmer of the Duel in the Pool meet.
Trickett won the 50m freestyle in 24.27sec and then anchored the 400m medley relay team to victory with a time of 52.90sec.
Her relay leg was her fourth sub-53sec swim in the two days of the meet.
"It's exciting when you swim fast and to be so close to my best times at this stage in the season is really promising," Trickett said.
"It definitely builds my confidence leading into Rome and the Mare Nostrum tour."
The FINA World Championships are held in Rome from July 19 to August 2.
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