Aussies set pace at rescue challenge

IT’S ALL ON: New Zealand’s Corey Taylor in action on day 1 of the International Surf Rescue Challenge at Mount Maunganui yesterday. Gold Coast-based Midway club member Taylor and his New Zealand Black Fins open teammates are just behind Australia, as are Gisborne’s Olivia Corrin and her Junior Black Fins team in the youth (under-19) competition. Picture by Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media Services

GISBORNE clubbies Cory Taylor and Olivia Corrin played their part but New Zealand are in a chasing position after the first day of the International Surf Rescue Challenge in Mount Maunganui yesterday.

Australia lead the open and youth competitions, with the New Zealand Black Fins and their junior compatriots hot on their heels.

Day 2 of the series is tomorrow and it finishes on Sunday.

In the open competition involving seven nations, Australia led on 148 points, with reigning world champions New Zealand six back and the United States third on 88.

In the five-nation youth (under-19) division, Australia are on 101, New Zealand 94 and South Africa 64.

Taylor contributed valuable points to the Black Fins’ campaign.

He was second behind New Zealand captain Max Beattie in the oceanperson, was third in the ski race and fifth in the surf race.

Taylor was also in the team who placed second in the tube rescue and was a member of the fifth-placed beach relay team.

Corrin played a prominent role in the youth team staying in touch with the powerful Aussies.

She won the board race, was second in the oceanperson and fourth in the surf race.

Corrin was in the winning tube rescue team, as well as the mixed surf and broad rescue teams who were second, and the oceanperson relay team who were fifth.

Event manager Ross Merrett said it was a perfect first day.

“It is great to see the international rivalry but also the support between the teams.

“Every single athlete is pushing the limit and it is making for some of the best racing we’ve seen,” he said.

“Plus the conditions have been perfect. There was a decent swell all day and we saw athletes ride on waves from about 100 metres off shore which just makes for incredible racing.”