Ian Thorpe will miss the 2005 world championships and coach Tracey Menzies admits it's going to be a tough slog for him to return to his peak swimming fitness.

Menzies confirmed that Thorpe would indeed skip the world championships in July and take a season off competition when she appeared on the ABC's Australian Story.

"This year 2005, Ian won't be standing up to race at world titles, which is going to be hard for the Australian team, and hard for his teammates - but it's something he needs to do in preparation for Beijing," said Menzies.

It's no great surprise Thorpe will bypass competition in 2005, given his extended break since the Athens Olympics which has included international promotional events as recently as last week and the fact that the national trials are next month.

Menzies admits Thorpe will face a tough grind to return to peak condition after such a long spell, but is confident he is capable of getting there.

"It is definitely going to being a hard path for him to get himself back in shape but it's not something I would do if I didn't think he wasn't capable of coming back," she said.

"I think it has been good that he has had a bit of a break and time to grow as a person."

Thorpe has been training at a low-key level since the new year but his fitness levels have dropped considerably since Athens.

Joining him at Menzies' squad is Craig Stevens, the swimmer who stepped aside so Thorpe could defend his 400m freestyle title at the Olympic Games.

"It's great to have Craig back training," Thorpe told the Australian Story.

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