Leslie targets top Pan-Pacs placing | Northland News | Local News in Northland

Northland swimming star Cameron Leslie has his sights set on winning gold at the 2012 London Paralympics - but first he has to conquer Canada.

The 21-year-old, who holds a world record for the individual medley, will travel to Edmonton, Alberta, tomorrow for the Pan-Pacific swimming championships.

Leslie, who grew up in Whangarei and won gold at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, said the competition is the pinnacle swimming event of the year, which tests the waters before Paralympics qualification in April.

"It's a stepping stone towards next year," he said. "It is an indication of how I'm tracking and how I'm going to perform, so it's definitely important."

While Leslie's results in Canada will have no bearing on his qualification, his funding will be based on how he performs.

In order to receive financial backing from Paralympics New Zealand, he must rank in the top five in the world, said his coach Simon Mayne.

"Their criteria require an athlete to go to a big international event and gain a good placing. He's definitely on track. It shouldn't be a problem," Mr Mayne said.

The event is the last chance for Leslie to test a new training regime before the Paralympics, which focuses on a routine used by able bodied athletes.

"We do a cycle which is a week of fitness, two weeks of hard work and then a race week which consists of doing time trials," said Mr Mayne.

"We are trying out some things we haven't done in the past, just to pinpoint the best system. It seems to be working pretty well."

The third-year AUT journalism student, who whizzes around on high-tech artificial limbs, hopes to beat his personal best.

"But obviously my goal is to put in a big performance next year," he said.

"This is just about ticking my boxes on the way. I want that gold medal."

Nine other athletes and five support people will attend the Pan-Pacifics from August 10 to 14.