New Zealand's Erika Fairweather reacts after winning the final of the women's 400m freestyle swimming event during the 2024 World Aquatics Championships at Aspire Dome in Doha on February 11, 2024. Photo: MANAN VATSYAYANA
While much has changed in a short span for Erika Fairweather, her ambition to win gold hasn't.
It's a new city, new coach and new team for the Kiwi swimmer, having made the move from Dunedin to Auckland earlier this year, but it's an old goal continuing to drive her.
With the taste of bitter Olympic disappointment still fresh, where she was a mere 26 one hundredths of a second off the podium, her eyes are already on Los Angeles 2028.
"Obviously I fell short of that podium by just a little smidge this time, but I think it's kind of motivated me not to miss it again. So hopefully, LA, we'll lock it in."
Her 400m freestyle final was dubbed 'the race of the century', as it included fellow champions Katie Ledecky, Ariarne Titmus and Summer McIntosh.
"That field has been absolutely stacked and I'm sure it will continue to be for years to come, so just to be a part of it is amazing."
Fairweather admits life in the city of sails has been an adjustment.
"I think just being away from family and friends. In Dunedin, everyone's really close so having that bit of distance there is hard but I'm really enjoying the change in environment. It's definitely a lot warmer up here. We have this amazing facility to swim at and the high performance centre's just across the road as well. So all those things are looking really good for my performance."
As well as family and friends, the culinary delights of the deep south have also left a void.
"I haven't found any cheese rolls up here. It's the 'southern sushi', so it's not as common up here. That's the one thing that ... I need to locate."
The move was prompted by long time Dunedin based coach Lars Hume stepping back from international competition.
"It's really cool swimming with a different bunch of swimmers in a different pool. Obviously no two coaches are going to do it the same way, so just kind of getting used to that. I mean you take your speed and your technique with you wherever you go, so just making sure that's refined."
Fairweather will be one of 350 swimmers taking part at the NZ Swimming Championships in Auckland this week.
"I'm going in unrested, so it'll just be a bit of fun. Racing at home is always nice in front of a crowd so it'll be enjoyable."
New coach Graham Hill at North Shore Swimming Club said both he and the squad are elated by the addition of Fairweather.
"She is a hardworking athlete who knows what she wants and I like the way she approaches her swimming at the moment, I think there are some changes that she's made me aware of and hopefully it's changes for the good and we've targeted a few things that we'll work on over the next year or so to improve it. Small things that make big things happen."
NZ Swimming Championships
Wednesday May 21st to Sunday May 25th.
Sir Owen Glenn National Aquatic Centre
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