Golden sands, gold rewards

WORLD CHAMPION: Briana Irving competes in the Lifesaving World Championships in Adelaide last year. She won the under-19 women’s beach sprint and was part of the winning relay team. Picture supplied

SURF LIFESAVING

GISBORNE teenager Briana Irving became a double world champion on the sands of Glenelg Beach in Adelaide yesterday.

The 16-year-old won the youth (under-19) women’s beach sprint title and was a member of the winning beach relay team at the Lifesaving World Championships.

The Waikanae lifeguard is competing as part of the New Zealand Junior Black Fins team coached by Gisborne’s Matt Cairns.

“It was fantastic being out there racing today and I’m so thrilled with how it all turned out,” Irving said.

“I am super proud to wear the black cap and represent New Zealand and be here with the Junior Black Fins.”

Irving joined Sasha Reid (of the Fitzroy surf lifesaving club), Tessa Bradley (Mount Maunganui) and Lucy Makaea (Piha) to take gold in the beach relay.

In her other event yesterday, Irving was sixth in the final of the beach flags.

Her golds were part of a 10-medal haul for New Zealand’s youth and open teams on day 2 of the championships.

There were also 20 personal best times and three New Zealand records.

Among the record-breakers were Gisborne’s Chris Dawson and Midway clubmate Olivia Corrin, members of the Black Fins open team competing in pool events.

Dawson was part of the 4x50 metres mixed pool lifesaver relay team who placed third in a national record of 1.50.29. He was also third in the 100m rescue medley.

The (4x50m mixed relay) race was expected to be dominated by the European teams due to their experience, said open team assistant coach Jonelle Quane.

But New Zealand’s third place and national record showed how much hard work the Black Fins team had put in.

In placing second in the B final of the 200 metres obstacle race, 18-year-old Corrin broke the New Zealand u19 age group record with a time of 2 minutes 12.31 seconds.

New Zealand’s open team finished the day first overall, with arch-rivals Australia less than 20 points behind.

“There was lots of close races today,” said Quane. “Everyone dug that little bit deeper, put their heart into it and they produced amazing results because of it. New Zealand can be really proud of them.”

The Black Fins returned to the South Australia Aquatic Centre today while the Junior Black Fins were back on the beach for the ocean events.