Spofforth looking to for release at Duel in the Pool

By Ryan Bangs. Sportsbeat

WORLD champion Gemma Spofforth admitted she has had her nose to the grindstone over the past month - but has vowed to let loose at the British Gas Duel in the Pool.

CUTTING LOOSE: Gemma Spofforth is ready to express herself at Duel in the Pool after hard graft of work (Getty Images)

The 22-year-old is one of 14 Brits in the European select team set to face a USA squad - including 14-time Olympic champion Michael Phelps - in Manchester.

Spofforth will feel more at home than most against the Americans, having attended Florida University since 2006.  However, she admits to having spent more time working than swimming in November and December.

The former Portsmouth Northsea flyer - who studies family, youth and community sciences in Florida - has combined end of term exams with part-time night work for the Samaritans all before rushing back to the UK.

But despite her hectic schedule Spofforth - who claimed world 100m backstroke gold in Rome this summer - insists she won't let the opportunity to get one over her adopted country go to waste.

"It's going to be difficult for me going to the Duel in the Pool because I have just had a manic past few weeks," said Spofforth.

"It was the end of the semester at college and I only finished my exams a week ago and then had to fly back home to England.

"I have also started to work for a student-type Samaritans programme which means I do a shift from 4am until 8am in the morning.

"It just requires me being on the end of the phone for people who have problems but with everything that is going on it has all been so hectic.

"It is going to be hard to be in the best shape I can possibly be.  Still, having said that, I think I will be able to get a bit of a taper in and get a bit of a rest before the Duel in the Pool, so I am confident I can do well there."

It hasn't been all work and no play for Spofforth since returning from Rome as a world champion after admitting to taking longer than expected off for Thanksgiving last month.

Spofforth also hasn't swam over 25m since 2004 but is adamant her short course personal bests in the 100m and 200m backstroke will be well within reach at the Manchester  Aquatics  Centre.

"Thanksgiving is a big thing in America and I was just full of Turkey a few days after it all," she added.

"When one of my training team got back into the pool after a bit of a break they passed out - and I wasn't too far behind them.

"I haven't done a short course event for about five years because I have just been concentrating on competitions in America which are always in yards and then major long course competitions which are in metres.

"But saying that I should probably be able to get some personal bests at the Duel in the Pool."

 * British Gas and British Swimming. The nation's leading energy supplier, British Gas, is the Principal Partner of British Swimming, supporting the sport at all levels: 'From paddling pool to podium'. For more information visit www.britishgas.co.uk/swimming