Columbia's Omar Pinzon claimed first place in the men's 200m backstroke final at the FINA/ARENA Swimming World Cup in Beijing on Wednesday. [Alexander F. Yuan / Associated Press]

BEIJING - Australian swimming great Ian Thorpe is still struggling in his comeback to the pool after a five-year rest, this time failing to qualify for the men's 100m butterfly final on Wednesday morning.

That disappointment meant he missed all the finals at the FINA Short Course World Cup's Beijing meet, his second comeback event.

Although the results were by no means great, the five-time Olympic gold medalist remains happy with his conditioning at this time.

"I'm not really surprised by anything (after returning to training)," Thorpe said.

"I anticipated it would be difficult. It has to be. I'm happy with how I prepared and how I swam. I will continue to try."

After missing out on the 100m freestyle and 100m medley finals on Tuesday in Beijing, Thorpe finished 13th overall in the 100m butterfly heats in 54.35 seconds.

He swam slower than he did during the Singapore leg of the World Cup last weekend, where he finished third in his heat in 54.09 to rank 11th overall.

"I think it's about the same as in Singapore," Thorpe said after the race. "Technically, today was better. At this stage of competition, I'm pretty pleased with it."

Considered one of Australia's greatest Olympians, Thorpe announced his retirement in 2006, but decided to come back in February and is working hard to qualify for the London Olympic Games next year.

His return has been lackluster to date as he finished seventh in the 100m individual medley final and failed to qualify for the 100m butterfly final at his first return meet in Singapore last week.

He believes getting used to competing again is now his top priority. "I have come back to racing and it doesn't feel quite right. I think I have to become more familiar with competing," said the 29-year-old.

In order to qualify for the London Games, Thorpe has to succeed at the national trials in March next year.

En route to that, Thorpe will compete in Tokyo this weekend at the next World Cup stop.

"In Tokyo, definitely the 100m medley and 100m butterfly. Probably the 100m freestyle as well," he said of the events he is likely to take part in.

China Daily