Seebohm in hot form

Beijing relay gold medallist Emily Seebohm clocked the fastest 100m backstroke time in the world this year to take out the NSW State Championships title at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

The Queenslander showed no ill effects of the swine flu and post viral fatigue that plagued her 2011 campaign and clocked in 59.36.

The 19-year-old stormed clear of 200m champion Belinda Hocking (1:00.17) and Victorian Grace Loh (1:01.09) in the standout performance of the night.

In this form the Matt Brown coached star is considered by many to be Australia's best ever chance to snap the nation's Olympic gold medal drought in the stroke

But she must first gain Olympic selection at next month's Australian Swimming Championships in Adelaide.

"Hopefully I can go a lot faster at next month's trials and hopefully get on the team and plane for London," said Seebohm.

"I feel good so hopefully it's going to be a big year for me to step up and make my mark in swimming."

Beijing relay gold medallist Bronte Barratt used tonight's final of the 400m freestyle as the perfect tune up ahead of next month's Australian Swimming Championships taking the NSW title in an encouraging 4:06.82. The 23-year-old's swim was also the third fastest time in the world this year.

Fellow Beijing Olympian Angie Bainbridge from the AIS was second in 4:10.54, while Kiwi Lauren Boyle grabbed third in 4:10.64.

Korea's 400m freestyle champion from last night Park Tae Hwan has added the 2012 NSW 200m freestyle title to his swimming resume, clocking the second fastest time of the year to strike gold in 1:46.78.

It was a tight battle for second and third with 2010 national champion Nick Ffrost snaring silver in 1:48.73, from Hunter swimmer Jarod Killey (1:48.93). Olympian Kenrick Monk, in his first swim since injuring his elbow, finished 10th in 1:52.53.