BRESSANONE, Italy

Jamaica's Danielle Dowie says she is ready for her rivals while eyeing a sub-57 seconds at the 6th IAAF World Youth Championships, which starts today.

"I was having problems with the technical aspect of the race, but I have done a lot of work on that, the 400m background is there, the technique is coming along nicely ... so tomorrow I am just going to go through the rounds and get ready for the final," she said yesterday.

Dowie, a Wolmerian, who finished third at Boys and Girls' Championships behind the sisters Nikita and Ristananna Tracey of Edwin Allen High, added: "I feel like there is improvement in the speed area as well."

Thinking of going sub-57

The Carifta Games Under-20 silver medallist believes with these improvements she is thinking of going sub-57 and maybe down to 55 seconds. Asked where that would put her she said "In front."

But, starting today as the world leader, Dowie admitted she is "kind of" under pressure.

She said so far she is keeping her cool and hope nervousness don't get the better of her, as it did on occasions in the past.

"I have actually been keeping my cool and following Shelly-Ann Fraser (Olympic 100m champion) and other people, seeing the pressure they come under when they are on top and how they manage to put through," she added.

"I am just basically doing that ... I don't know if I will be nervous tomorrow, but right now I am OK," she concluded.

- Anthony Foster athletes.'