Return to traditional costumes is looking set to suit Simmonds

Forty-three world records were broken inside a week at last summer's World Championships in Rome with 230 fastest marks established in the two years since Speedo launched the first suit to significantly increase buoyancy and endurance.

FINA banned all polyurethane suits as of January 1, 2010, with next week's meet at Sheffield's Ponds Forge the first major championships where competitors will be judged purely on their ability.

And 19-year-old Simmonds, of Beverley, said: "It's fantastic that we're back in the old textile costumes and already I'm faster this year than I was last in the controversial suits.

"It's great for the sport that we are back on a level playing field. Last year, if you didn't have a suit you weren't in the running.

"It was all a bit of a farce. Britain was one of the last of the countries to sign up to the new suits and two weeks before the world championships we had all these suits to look at and had to decide which one to use.

"The great thing about it now is that when someone does a really good time, the first question when they get out of the pool is not going to be 'what suit are they wearing?'.

"It completely took away any achievement from the athlete. There were some fantastic swims last year but what will be remembered is that they were achieved in the controversial suits."

Simmonds, who will compete next week in the 100m and 200m backstroke, enjoyed a fantastic end to the year, winning five World Cup medals and building on her Olympic final appearance in Beijing by finishing one place higher in Rome in fifth.

"It was a very good year for me, although overshadowed by the suit situation," she said.

"No-one really knew where they stood. People were swimming quick times and everyone was asking 'but is it the suit that makes them faster?'

"And that was always in the back of your mind. By swimming even faster this year, I have proved to myself that it wasn't just the suit."

Her main rival for national titles next week, and for the automatic qualification place for the Commonwealth Games that comes with winning, is world record-holder Gemma Spofforth.

"If I can keep pace with Gemma I'll be in with a chance," said Simmonds.

"Gemma is someone who has raised the standard, she's the best in the world and it's good to have that as your team-mate and rival."