Chelsea Gubecka's ready to swim hard - in Russia

RISING star Chelsea Gubecka believes she’s training better than ever and is primed for strong performances at the world championships in Russia.

OLYMPIC DREAM: Distance swimmer Chelsea Gubecka has her sights set on competing for Australia in Rio next year. Picture: MICK TSIKAS

RISING star Chelsea Gubecka believes she's training better than ever and is primed for strong performances at the world championships in Russia.

The 16-year-old is the Sunshine Coast Junior Sports Star of April after winning the Australian 1500m freestyle title and finishing seventh at the 10km World Cup (open water) in Mexico.

As a result, she has been selected to represent Australia at the world championships at Kazan, in open water in late July and in the pool in early August.

A top-10 result in the open water event would seal a berth at next year's Olympics.

And she is poised for a strong showing. "I've probably been training the best I ever have," she said. "I've been able to top some of my best times in the pool and Mexico was a really great result."

Most of the globe's top open water swimmers were present at Mexico, an indication Gubecka should be in the running for an Olympics berth.

"I'm looking forward to getting back into training and trying to do a good world championship and to qualify for Rio, which is the ultimate goal," she said.

Gubecka competed at the world titles in 2013, finishing 29th in the 10km and 13th in the 1500m. But she expects to improve on that.

 The Sunshine Coast Council development award has been won by 16-year-old Jack Trent.

The ex-Headland Golf Club member became the youngest golfer to win the Southern Nevada Golf Association Championship Series of Las Vegas.