Black Fins seek Euro double whammy

Laura Quilter

GISBORNE surf lifesaver Laura Quilter has history to inspire her heading into a double whammy of international action in Europe.

Auckland-based Wainui club member Quilter and Gold Coast-based Midway clubbie Chris Dawson are in the seven-strong New Zealand team competing in two pool carnivals in the space of seven days.

The Black Fins will take on arch-rivals Australia and a range of other European countries at the Orange Cup in The Netherlands then head to Germany for the prestigious German Cup.

Most of the New Zealand team left yesterday and were joined on the way by Lyall Bay’s Samantha Lee and Dawson.

The Orange Cup, formerly known as the BeNe Cup, is being held at the Pieter van den Hoogenband Swimming Stadium in Eindhoven over two days, starting tomorrow.

The same venue will host the pool events of the 2016 Rescue world life saving championships at which New Zealand will look to make it three consecutive world titles. Following the BeNe Cup, the Black Fins travel to Warendorf, Germany, for the German Cup.

Both pool carnivals will provide valuable competition in the build-up to the world championships in September. Quilter has fond memories of the previous German Cup in 2013, highlighted by her world record in the women’s 50 metres manikin carry.

The rest of the Steven Ferguson-coached New Zealand team are Andrew McMillan, Andrew Trembath and Carina Doyle (all of Dunedin’s St Clair club), and Steven Kent of Titahi Bay.