Commonwealth Games Swimming Preview - Women's Backstroke

50m Back
1. Sophie Edington - Pan Pac champion and must be favourite to do the double at Commies.
2. Emily Seebohm - Edington's biggest challenger and only other woman in the race to go under 28 seconds this year.
3. Gemma Spofforth - Not a specialist at 50m but has all the skills for the race.

Wildcard
Emily Thomas - Bronze medallist from Pan Pacs. Rare medal hope for New Zealand.

100m Back
1. Gemma Spofforth - This will be Spofforth's first LC fully rested and tapered meet of 2010. Broke the WR in Rome in a Speedo LZR. I expect the winner of this race to go sub 59.

2. Emily Seebohm - Seebohm's time of 59.21 was the fastest in the world for most of the year and is faster than both Spofforth and Simmonds this year. The finish should be very tight.
3. Elizabeth Simmonds - Despite being a 200m specialist, Simmonds could win the 100m. She beat Spofforth at British Trials. Has arguably the best underwaters of anyone in the race.

Wildcard
Belinda Hocking - Just outside breaking 60 seconds this year. Will struggle to get on terms with The 3 S's (Spofforth, Seebohm and Simmonds).

200m Back
1. Elizabeth Simmonds - Simmonds has been the best 200m Backstroker in the world this year. Expect Kristina Egerszegi's textile best time of 2:06.62 to be taken down.

2. Gemma Spofforth - Despite not being in top form at European's, swam a highly respectable 2:08.25.
3. Belinda Hocking - Top ranked Australian this year. Won Aussie Nationals in 2:07.89.

WildcardStephanie Proud - It would be a surprise if Proud got past the Australian trio of Hocking, Seebohm and Nay, however an English 1-2-3 remains a possibility. Proud is Spofforth's teammate in Florida so we could see a couple of Gators on the podium in India.