LUNGE FOR GOLD: Casie Fyall (right) stretches for the “flag” on her way to gold in the Sanyo Cup beach flags in Japan last year. Picture by Lester Kelly
LUNGE FOR GOLD: Casie Fyall (right) stretches for the “flag” on her way to gold in the Sanyo Cup beach flags in Japan last year. Picture by Lester Kelly
Waikanae club member Casie Fyall has been named vice-captain of the 10-strong New Zealand team to contest the 11th annual Sanyo Cup lifesaving carnival in Japan in three weeks.
Midway club member Cory Taylor will captain the team. Fyall said she felt privileged and honoured to be given a leadershiprole.
The Sanyo Cup is an international event — this year being held on Momochi Beach in Fukuoka — run by the Japan Lifesaving Association. Teams from Australia, USA, Great Britain, South Africa, Hong Kong and Japan will also take part. This will be Fyall’s third Sanyo Cup.
Coach Danny Morrison said Fyall’s experience in Japan, as well as at elite level in New Zealand and Australia, would be a great asset to the younger members in the team.
The New Zealand team members are: Murdoch Finch (Omanu Beach), Casie Fyall (Waikanae, vice-captain), Cory Taylor (captain), Olivia Corrin (both Midway), Claudia Kelly, Hannah Baker (both East End), Louis Clark (Taylors Mistake), Luther Maxwell, Macy Burns (both Lyall Bay) and Scott Cowdrey (Papamoa).
Fyall says she is looking forward to racing and being with the team.
“I can’t wait to race with the team and represent New Zealand again,” she said.
“A big part of this trip is the team culture, so on race day everyone is there on the finish lines supporting those racing and celebrating, regardless of the placing.”