Australian open water swimmers Melissa Gorman and Ky Hurst will get the opportunity to race on the Olympic course at the 10km Open Water test event in London this Saturday, with the Aussie open water Queen looking to gain as much experience as she can in Hyde Park.

Having both qualified for selection for the London Olympic Games after their top 10 finishes at the world championships in Shanghai last month, Gorman and Hurst will use every opportunity they can to familiarise themselves with the tight six lap course.

Racing against fellow world class opposition in a field of 20 each, for both the men and women, the Australian pair will be looking at tactics first and foremost, and will not get too carried away with results this far out from the Games.

“The course is made up of six laps, which will make things very tight and means we will really have to focus on our turns and changing direction,” said Gorman.

“The real goal this weekend is just getting the experience of racing on the course, and working out the tactics for next year, knowing exactly what we are doing and the best way to approach the race.”

Arriving in London just a couple of days ago, Gorman and Hurst will get their first chance to swim at the Serpentine course in Hyde Park tomorrow morning in a training session, but the silver medallist in the team’s event from Shanghai, and Beijing Olympian, says the city already has a strong Olympic feel to it.

“As soon as we arrived we did some sight-seeing to try and get over the jetlag and there are plenty of signs and sponsors logos about to show that the Games are not too far away now,” said the 25-year-old.

“Saturday will be a great opportunity to race and learn, and I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

Swimming Australia Open Water Head Coach Greg Towle said while this weekend is a good opportunity to prepare, everyone is in the same position heading into London next year.

“The best open water swimmers in the world are here and all are trying to work out just how to approach the race for next year,” said Towle.

“It’s a great opportunity for our guys and really marks the start of their preparation for next year.”

The 10km Open Water test event for the London Olympics will be held on Saturday 13 August at the Serpentine in Hyde Park with the men starting at 10am and the women from 2pm. Gorman qualified for selection by finishing fourth in the 10kms at the world championships in Shanghai, while Hurst finished fifth in the men’s event.