USA: after three weeks of intensive training at Colorado Springs, Michael Phelps raced at a local meet in Baltimore, clocking 52.48 in the 100m 'fly, 1:57.91 in the 200m 'fly, 1:02.54 in the 100m breaststroke. Coach Bob Bowman, is quoted as saying:" That was very discouraging." The Paris Open looms June 26-27. At a meet in Mission Viejo, Tyler Clary won the 200m medley in 2:01.37; Chloe Sutton took the 1,500m free in 16:35.87 and Hungarian world champ Katinka Hosszu claimed the 200m medley in 2:13.52.

Italy: World No 1 Federica Pellegrini is heading for a middle distance free showdown with Coralie Balmy (FRA) at the Milan international June 30 to July 1. The meet will also feature Filipo Magnini (ITA) Vs Eamonn Sullivan (AUS), Milorad Cavic (SRB) Vs Andrew Lauterstein (AUS) and Yulia Efimova (RUS).

Netherlands: leader of the world of free sprint in 2010, Ranomi Kromowidjojo, 19, claimed two victories at Dutch nationals last weekend, with times of 24.67 in the 50 free and 26.25 in the 50 'fly. She currently leads the world rankings in both sprint free events, 50m and 100m, and is second best in Europe this season over 50m 'fly behind Swedish world record holder Therese Alshammar.

France: Fred Bousquet is to follow up his Mare Nostrum outings with a demonstration swim this Sunday at the Carcassonne short-course meet.