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In eSwimmer’s ongoing series of exclusive athlete profiles, DAVID LYALL throws on a pair of Speedos and some flippers to kick a few laps along side some of Australia’s best swimmers.
This month Lyall sought a quick reaction from new faces Angie Bainbridge and Christian Sprenger.
Bainbridge burst to prominence at the 2006 Telstra Australian Short Course Championships in Hobart with victories in the 200 and 400 metres freestyle events.
Freestyle has become the teenager’s focus since she moved from Newcastle to the AIS in Canberra in February this year, primarily as a medley swimmer.
Sprenger is an exciting prospect who qualified for all three breaststroke finals at this year’s Commonwealth Games in his international debut.
He has since won at the Mare Nostrum Series and claimed his maiden National titles with wins in the 50 and 100m breaststroke at the Australian Short Course Championships in August. 
ANGIE BAINBRIDGE
Age: 16
Nickname: Just “Ange”
Coach Shannon Rollason: Best coach I’ve ever trained under
Former Coach Eric Arnold: The last coach I had before I came to the AIS
Newcastle: Home
Canberra: Cold but fun
AIS: Excellent - I love it
Favourite event: 200 metre freestyle
Best ever performance: Both the 200 & 400m freestyle at 2006 Australian Short Course Championships
Why: I took off a lot of time from my PB’s and felt good doing it
2005 Fisher & Paykel Trans Tasman Series: Fun
2006 Telstra Commonwealth Games Swimming Trials - Melbourne: Nerve wracking and intimidating racing the older swimmers
2006 Telstra Australian Short Course Championships - Hobart: Very exciting and enjoyable
Telstra World Championship Trials in December: Looking forward to it
2008 Olympics - Beijing: Quite a long way away
Inspirations: My parents
Role Models: Susie O’Neill
Bronte Barratt: Great swimmer and funny personality
Jodie Henry: Very happy all the time and an excellent swimmer
Katie Hoff: Unbelievable
My dream is…: To one day win a medal at the Olympic Games
The greatest thing you will take from your swimming career: Hopefully an Olympic medal and walking away knowing I have done my best
Life after swimming: Sleeping
School: Hard but fun too
What can’t you live without: My mum
Favourite item of clothing: My tracksuit pants
Music: Latest releases
TV: Home and Away
AFL / NRL / Union: NRL
Favourite sporting team: Sydney Swans in the AFL
Tea / Coffee / Milo: Milo
Meat Pie / Salad: Salad
Beach / Movie: Beach
Last movie you saw: The Notebook
Last book you read: Hollywood Wives
Favourite athlete: Michael Phelps
Funniest member of the Telstra Dolphins Australian squad: Stephanie Rice
My last meal would be: A chicken schnitzel
You are having a dinner party and can invite three people, living or dead, who are they: Stephanie Williams, Stephanie Rice and Bronte Barratt
Swimming is…: Challenging but enjoyable
Angie Bainbridge in three words: Blonde, outgoing, tall
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CHRISTIAN SPRENGER
Age: 20
Nickname: Sprenger
Coach Stephan Widmer: Brilliant coach and an inspiration to me
Former Coach Michael Bohl: Great coach
Favourite event: 100m breaststroke
Best ever performance: 100m breaststroke at the 2006 Commonwealth Games Trials
Why: Breakthrough onto the Australian team
2005 Telstra Trials - Sydney: A stepping stone to new goals
2005 Telstra Australian Short Course Championships - Melbourne: Another learning experience, but positive one
2006 Telstra Commonwealth Games Swimming Trials - Melbourne: Extremely exciting and probably the best preparation I’ve ever had
2006 Commonwealth Games - Melbourne: Good experience but I didn’t think I had best preparation – still unbelievable though
2006 FINA World Short Course Championships – Shanghai: Incredible to swim overseas for Australia
Telstra World Championship Trials in December: Looking forward to it very much. Another chance to get onto Dolphins team and another chance to chase the Australian record
2008 Olympics - Beijing: Ultimate goal at this stage and something I’m working very hard towards
Brenton Rickard: Strong competitor and in some aspects an inspiration
Brendan Hansen: Very inspiring and someone I look up to. I would love to know how he trains
Inspiration: The want to be the best! I have felt like that since I was a kid.
Role Models: Leisel Jones
My dream is…: To make the ‘08 Olympics and then win a medal
University (Industrial Design): Time consuming but necessary
The greatest thing you will take from your swimming career: Knowing that I’ve done the best job I can do and knowing that my coach thinks that too
Life after swimming: An architect or industrial designer
What can’t you live without: My iPod
Favourite item of clothing: A white t-shirt
Music: Rock
TV: The Simpsons
AFL / NRL / Union: NRL
Favourite sporting team: Telstra Dolphins
Tea / Coffee / Milo: Milo
Meat Pie / Salad: Meat Pie
Beach / Movie: Movie
Last movie you saw: Snakes on a Plane
Last book you read: The Da Vinci Code
Favourite athlete: Brendan Hansen
Funniest member of the Telstra Dolphins Australian squad: Brett Hawke
My last meal would be: A plate of nachos
You are having a dinner party and can invite three people, living or dead, who are they: Hillary Duff, Jessicah Simpson, Tommy Lee
Swimming is…: A passion
Christian Sprenger in three words: The ultimate competitor
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