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A never-ending quest for swimming perfection may lead to the United States college circuit for world champions Libby Lenton and Leisel Jones.

Their award-winning coach Stephan Widmer said spending a season in the demanding NCAA system may be the spark his world record holders need to better their already “amazing” achievements.

They would follow in the footsteps of Ian Thorpe who is relocating to the US in the Beijing 2008 countdown and Grant Hackett who hopes to contest the NCAA circuit after the Olympics.

Lenton and Jones come off a well-deserved break to contest this weekend’s Grand Prix series opener at Brisbane.

Lenton has completed only weeks of training after backing up her five gold Commonwealth Games haul with another five gold medals at last month’s world short course titles at Shanghai.

Jones missed the world short course titles after winning four gold and claiming the 100 metres breaststroke world record at Melbourne (1min05.09sec).

Jones had reportedly said she would follow Widmer if he relocated overseas.

Widmer did not rule out a US trip in the lead-up to Beijing.

“It could be that we select a campus overseas one year,” said Widmer who recently shared Coach of the Year honours with Denis Cotterell at the Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association Awards.

“It’s a great racing circuit in the NCAA. You train hard but every weekend you are up against a university and have to go hard.

“It provides a great (race) simulation and different environment. More likely we would be challenged by something like that.

“We just have to keep finding something that triggers them and make them do the same work a tiny little bit faster and harder.”

The main focus is the world titles selection trials at Brisbane in November.

Despite his charges’ achievements, Widmer delivered a sobering warning to his star duo before they began their low-key return.

“If we are not on the ball and keen enough to do the work then good luck (if you want to win) at the world trials,” he said.

“You could get away with getting a (world championship) relay spot but I don’t think these girls would be happy with that.

“The reason why they performed so well is because they did a very good job applying themselves to all the training and tapers during the past months.

“If they change that behaviour of training and applying themselves and doing everything to a great standard, they risk underperforming.”

Widmer would not put limits on what his star charges could do next, comparing their achievements in the pool with breaking the four minute mile.

“Sometimes you think things aren’t possible and these girls make it possible,” he said.

“People probably didn’t believe a girl could swim 1:05.09 in a 100m breaststroke (like Jones) - but now they believe.

“Like Roger Bannister and the four minute mile, to be the one to reach new levels and breaking new ground … is an amazing thing - I feel honoured to be part of this team.”

At the Grand Prix, Lenton has nominated for the 50m and 100 freestyle and 50m and 100m butterfly while Jones has entered the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke and the 200m individual medley.

Lenton and Jones will also be part of a 26-strong Australian team to contest the Mare Nostrum meet in Monte Carlo next month.