Funkita F-Team set for Kazan

With the pool swimming set to kick off at FINA World Championsips we caught up with our Funkita F-Team swimmers Kareena Lee, Taylor McKeown, Ekaterina Avromova, Aimee Willmott and Mollie Renshaw to ask them how they were feeling before the big event.

Kareena Lee wearing her Funkita Feline Fever after her 20th place at World Champs

Kareena Lee

FK: What are you most looking forward to?

KL: I can't wait to represent my country and race against a big international field and see how I go against the world's best. Also, I've never been to Russia before so it's always exciting going somewhere new.

FK: What do you think will be your biggest challenge to perform on such a high stage?

KL: Trying to stay calm and not get too nervous!

Update: Kareena had an incredible swim in extremely challenging conditions to finish 20th in the women's 10km open water event.

Australian Commonwealth Games Champion Taylor McKeown is getting set for her 200m breakstroke

Taylor Mckeown

FK: How have you managed your training loads in the lead up to the event?

TM: Creating a lifestyle/swimming balance and being organised is extremely important to handle the training loads. On my afternoons off I like to mentally relax by doing something away from the pool that I enjoy. Physically, the hard training to prepare for the swim of your life can be stressful on your body. I try to see a physio or massage therapist at least once a week to relieve any injuries or pain.

FK: What are your expectations for this competition?

TM: I never go into any competitions with high expectations, I just go there to do my best and let the results reflect that. I like to enjoy the journey and have fun overseas.

Ekaterina Avramova wears Funkita Swiss Bliss

Ekaterina Avramova

FK: What drives you to swim your best?

EA: I love the feeling of winning, the happiness of knowing that all the work you've put in has paid off.

FK: What will be your biggest challenge to perform on such a high stage?

EA: My goal is to make the final of the 100m back and 100m free so it will be a big challenge. I hope to break all my personal best times at the event.

Great Britain's Aimee Willmott wearing her Funkita Stripe Delight before the World Champs at the London Aquatic Centre

Aimee Wilmott

FK: What are you hoping to get out of this event?

AW: I'm hoping to make my first world final this year and have the chance to swim in a final session at one of the biggest swimming events in the world, and get a feel for what the pressures of Rio 2016 will be like.

FK: What will be your biggest challenge?

AW: My main event, the 400IM will be on the final day of the meet, and as it's eight days long I think the biggest challenge for me will be staying focused and concentrating on my own performance."

Mollie Renshaw prepares for World Champs

Mollie Renshaw

FK: What about Russia excites you?

MR: The opportunity to do what I practice day in, day out against the best in the world, if you have a lane you have a chance!

FK: What are your expectations for this competition?

MR: As this is my second World Championships I want to perform a lot better than my previous one. I was young and gained a lot of experience but now I want to push things on and be inside the top 6 to set myself up nicely for Rio next year.