Katherine Wyld has set her sights on a Commonwealth Games relay berth in 2010 as she embarks on one of the busiest years of her sporting and professional life.
The 23-year-old swimmer enjoyed mixed fortunes in 2009, helping Team GB set a new British record on their way to a seventh-place finish in the 4x100m freestyle relay at the World Championships in Rome, only to miss out on a place in the individual final days later.
Wyld left the Foro Italico with her head held high having beaten the odds to qualify for the showpiece event of the year – her first major championship – and joined 100m freestyle silver medallist Fran Halsall to twice lower the national record.
While the Leatherhead Swimming Club member has grand ambitions for the years to come, she is keeping a lid on her targets in 2010 as she combines her swimming with the final year of her law degree at Nottingham University.
“Next year is vitally important for me – I am looking to keep on improving and make sure I progress in the right direction,” said Wyld.
“It’s the Commonwealth Games and my last year at Nottingham University studying law, so it will be busy.
“I would love to be selected for the Commonwealth Games relay, so I’m looking to be in good form to make sure I meet the selection criteria.
“The highlight of last season was breaking the British record with the relay team and showing I can perform on the big stage.”
Wyld will need to find her form in time for the Commonwealth trials in March if she is to secure a place on the plane to Delhi in October.
But, while the Commonwealths are the next major event in Wyld’s calendar, her main goal remains 2012.
“The Olympics is at the front of everyone’s mind and I can’t believe it is less than 1,000 days to go,” she said.
“It would be a dream come true if I was there to represent Great Britain.
“But there is still a lot of work to be done between now and then.”
Lloyds TSB is the proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and supporter of Team GB on their journey to London 2012. LloydsTSB.com/London2012
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