Personal best hopes for top coach

As the countdown continues to London 2012 decision day, the coach to some of Wales' top swimmers is hoping that his squad is peaking right on time.

Olympic hopefuls, including Jazz Carlin, Georgia Davies, Jemma Lowe and Tom Allen, are all pushing their preparation in a warm weather training camp in the USA.

The Swansea-based swimmers have been in California since December 27^th and will head to Austin, Texas, on January 11^th before taking part in the top USS Grand Prix Meet (January 13^th-15^th).

And with the British Gas Swimming Championships taking place in early March - and the fight for selection to Team GB well and truly on - the coach hoping to get them in top condition is more than pleased with progress.

"The training camp is going very well," said Bud McAllister (pictured). "We have had great weather here - sunny and very warm for winter - up to 30 degrees celsius, and no rain."

"The training is going well and getting better as we go along.  I think we will have some excellent swims next weekend in Austin - maybe even some lifetime best times from a few of the swimmers. And they will need to be fast because several of the top US swimmers will be there ready to race."

Originally from Michigan in the US, Bud is Head Coach of the British Swimming Intensive Training Centre (ITC) in Swansea.

His impressive track record includes coaching America's Janet Evans to four Olympic titles and six world records.

But while training days include around five and a half hours of grueling long course (50m) and short course (25m) work, there is also time for a bit of rest, relaxation and team bonding.

"They are trying to get a tan but it might take them more time than we have here," added Bud. "I think some of them enjoyed the big shopping mall trips as well."

And while a quick glance at some twitter accounts reveal pleasure at trips to nearby Huntingdon Beach, the training pain is never far away.

One tweet describes that, "Bud's answer to a 6km aerobic session in freezing temperatures is that 'this is more beneficial than a good massage."

Olympic gold medalists Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Janet Evans and the defending Grand Prix Series champion Missy Franklin headline the list of those competing at the Austin Grand Prix on January 13-15.

The event which will take place at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center, is the second event of the seven-meet 2011-2012 USA Swimming Grand Prix Series. For more information visit www.usaswimming.org .

For more on the British Gas Swimming Championships visit www.swimming.org/britishswimming.