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Thorpe encouraged by better 200m display

Ian Thorpe performed better on Saturday © Getty Images

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Ian Thorpe suggested he may yet reach the standard required to qualify for London 2012, after a more promising second day at the Victorian swimming championships in Australia.

After a disappointing failure to reach the final of the 100m freestyle on Friday, Thorpe bounced back with a more encouraging performance in the 200m, as he qualified fourth fastest for the final and then proceeded to finish fifth in a time of 1min 50.79 seconds.

Thorpe finished over two seconds behind 20-year-old winner Jarrod Killey, but his time was nevertheless over a second faster than his last competitive outing in the event just over a month ago. Thorpe was encouraged by the performance, although he denied suggestions that he was deliberately holding something back ahead of the Olympic trials in March.

"Technique wise I wasn't very good tonight. I was a little bit rushed,'' Thorpe said. "I wouldn't put myself through that. This is hard enough without trying to bluff your way or fake your way through it.

"This is the best that I can swim at this stage. There's a lot I have to improve upon now. I'll be as ready as I can be.

"If there is an ace, the ace is I've done it before. When it comes to big competition I find something else.''

Australia head coach Leigh Nugent insisted that the 200m will be the main event for Thorpe - who will now return to Switzerland to continue his preparations with coach Gennadi Touretski.

"His priority of events should be the 200m, I said that right from the start,'' Nugent said. "If he prepares well for the 200m, it will underpin his 100m performances.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.