Surf lifesaving: Bay boost helps Kiwis to world title

The Black Fins have claimed the world surf lifesaving title for the second time in as many years. Photo / Barbara Newton

Bay of Plenty athletes have helped the New Zealand team to become just the second country to claim back-to-back world surf lifesaving titles in Montpellier and La Grande Motte, France.

Several locals were in action on the final day this week, helping to protect a solid lead established over the first four days of competition over former back-to-back champions Australia and France.

The team started off their final day of competition on a high, grabbing a medal in the team's first event of the day.

Fresh from winning a world championship title in the Women's Board Race yesterday, Mairangi Bay's Danielle McKenzie claimed another silver for the team in the Iron Woman. Omanu's Max Beattie then also took silver in the Men's Board Race with Midway's Cory Taylor not too far behind in sixth.

It was then the turn of captain Andy McMillan to add another medal with the St Clair SLSC member taking silver in the Men's Surf Race.

Australian Beach Flags Champion Chanel Hickman (Mairangi Bay) then took gold in the Women's Beach Flags, her first medal for the competition.

Teammate Paul Cracroft-Wilson followed up taking silver in the Men's Beach Flags.

McKenzie then stepped in to win another silver for the team in the Iron Woman with Midway's Cory Taylor also taking silver in the Iron Man.

The Women's Ocean Relay team of Natalie Peat (Papamoa), Natasha Hind (Lyall Bay), McKenzie and Hickman then claimed the day's only bronze medal.

In true world champion style, the team finished off the day as they started - on a high note, winning gold for the Men's Taplin Team of Taylor, McMillan, Cracroft-Wilson and Beattie.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand chairman Geoff Hamilton was understandably thrilled with the performance. "We look forward to rewriting the record books on this outstanding performance and to welcoming them all home in due course as world champions," he said.

The New Zealand Youth Team also had a successful day in the pool on their final day of competition, picking up another two medals to add to a successful campaign.

Papamoa's Ben Johnston and Sumner's Brittany Tucker each picked up bronze medals in the men's and women's 50m Manikin Carry. Ben finished in a time of 31.96 with Germany's Joshua Perling in first place in a time of 31.28 and Spain's Domingo Togores in 31.88. Brittany clocked 37.77 behind Australia's Prue Davies in a time of 37.32 and Germany's Annalena Geyer in third with a time of 37.46.

Black Fins, day five:

1st: Chanel Hickman, Women's Beach Flags

1st: Cory Taylor, Chris Dawson, Max Beattie & Paul Cracroft-Wilson, Men's Taplin Team

2nd: Paul Cracroft-Wilson, Men's Beach Flags

2nd: Danielle McKenzie, Women's Ski Race

2nd: Max Beattie, Men's Board Race

2nd: Andrew McMillan, Men's Surf Race

2nd: Danielle McKenzie, Iron Woman

2nd: Cory Taylor, Ironman

3rd: Natalie Peat, Chanel Hickman, Natasha Hind, Danielle McKenzie, Women's Ocean Relay

4th: Natasha Hind, Women's Surf Race

4th: Chris Dawson, Men's Surf Race

5th: Max Beattie, Ironman

5th: Natalie Peat, Women's Surf Race

6th: Cory Taylor, Men's Board Race

8th: Natalie Peat, Women's Ski Race

8th: Natalie Peat, Iron Women

New Zealand Youth Team: Day Four results

3rd: Ben Johnston, 50m Manikin Carry (31.96)

3rd: Brittany Tucker, 50m Manikin Carry (37.77)

4th: Jacob Hales, 100m Manikin Carry with Fins (49.56)

5th: Andrew Trembath, 100m Manikin Carry with Fins (49.59)

5th: Andrew Trembath, 100m Rescue Medley (1.06.82)

7th: Brittany Tucker, 100m Rescue Medley (1.07.50)

8th: Jacob Hales, 100m Rescue Medley (34.57)

Youth Team final points tally: Australia: 1065; NZ: 787; Germany: 600.