She will line up against seven other swimmers in the World Championships heats but Kiera Aitken will only be competing against herself and the clock.

That mindset, she says, will contribute significantly towards her achieving her personal goals amid the might of swimming powerhouses like Australia, the USA and the Netherlands.

"It's pretty scary but really I am not going to be in the same field as them so I am just looking to race against myself and against the clock.

"I just want to swim my best times, probably make some qualifying cuts for the Olympics and swim national records. I am not looking to make it to finals or anything like that," said the Bermudian, realistic about her chances in the pool.

Aitken, who leaves the Island today for the Barcelona, Spain, will make her Worlds debut in four events - the 50 and 100 metres freestyle and backstroke - confident she can live up to her own expectations.

In the 100 backstroke, for example, the 19-year-old's aim is to lower her best mark by a second.

"I'll be doing about a 1:05 (minutes). That would be an Olympic time."

She is a bit less optimistic about the freestyle - her weaker stroke - but has opted to do it because the meet is spread out over a week and her races will not clash. In addition, her backstroke commitments will be finished first.

"I think there will be more pressure in the freestyle because I don't feel as confident with it and I won't be as fast as I am in the backstroke," she explained.

However, any nerves Aitken may encounter throughout her Worlds baptism could well work in her favour since she thrives under pressure.

The Dalhousie University student's training has gone well with her putting in an hour-and-a-half in the pool five days a week since returning home for summer.

Quietly pleased with her form, she is relishing the opportunity to - almost literally - rub shoulders with some of the giants in her sport.

"Competing with world-class swimmers is one of the biggest experiences I think. Being at a meet that big will be exciting. I'm looking forward to it and I just hope I can do well," she said, noting the exposure should serve her well for the future.