Five wins and a second, all of that in times faster than he was recording a year ago at Long Beach before Melbourne 2007. What does it mean for 2008? 'I hope it's even better than '07,' said Phelps. 'I'm more relaxed this year than I was last year'

Catching up with the yards festival in the US, much focus was, naturally enough, on Michael Phelps. At the Long Beach Grand Prix in California, he won the 100 and 500y free, the 400y medley the 100y butterfly and backstroke and finished a close second over 100y breaststroke.

In short, he did all of that in times faster than he was recording a year ago in the build up to Melbourne 2007 and that stunning performance Down Under last March.

So, what does it all mean for Beijing?

'I hope it's even better than '07,' said Phelps. 'I'm more relaxed this year than I was last year. The most important thing for me is keeping a steady program of training. Week after week, month after month of stronger training is the best thing that's going to help me accomplish my goals this year.'

Roll on 08-08-08.