Unofficial record the highlight for Quilter

Laura Quilter. File picture

GISBORNE surf lifesaver Laura Quilter won three gold medals and swam an unofficial world record time at the Queensland Pool Championships on Australia’s Gold Coast at the weekend.

Wainui club member Quilter recorded a time of 33.21 seconds for the 50-metre manikin carry on Sunday. That time was more than a second faster than her own world record.

However, as the championships were not a sanctioned event, the record could not be ratified.

Last week, Quilter was named Gisborne Tairawhiti Sportswoman of the Year at the Logans Sporting Excellence Awards for the second year in a row.

She was in Queensland at the weekend — along with fellow Gisborne surf lifesavers Cory Taylor and Chris Dawson of the Midway club — for a Black Fins team camp ahead of the lifesaving world championships in the Netherlands in September.

Team members took part in the pool champs as part of the camp.

The Black Fins — New Zealand’s surf lifesaving representatives — are on the Gold Coast for 10 days of intensive training and racing.

Quilter said that while she was disappointed her time would not be made official, she was already making plans to head back for the Australian pool nationals in a few weeks.

She expects to return to New Zealand on Sunday.

Midway club member Dawson was second in the men’s 50m manikin carry at the Queensland champs.

His tme of 30.38 seconds put him just behind Titahi Bay’s Steve Kent, who took gold in 30.10s.

Quilter also won gold in the women’s 100m manikin carry, while Dawson took gold in the men’s event, more than a second faster than silver medallist Kent.

Quilter’s third gold was in the women’s 100m rescue medley in a time of 1:09.70.

Dawson won bronze medals in the super lifesaver event and the 100m manikin tow.

In the team events, Dawson and Fitzroy’s Paul Cracroft-Wilson won gold in the men’s line throw, and Danielle McKenzie and former Midway competitor Devon Halligan took gold for the women.

Both the men’s and women’s teams took gold in the 4x50m obstacles, 4x25m manikin carry and 4x50m rescue medley.

Team coach Jason Pocock said it was a “very successful” weekend.

“I’m especially stoked for Laura (Quilter) with the unofficial world record; it’s a shame the event wasn’t sanctioned,” he said.

“Their great times were a pleasant surprise, considering the team have been busy with training and team building exercises as part of their team camp, which started on Friday.

“It shows what happens when you focus on the processes . . . the outcome will take care of itself.”