Local team shines in Dunedin

They travelled the most distance to get to the Special Olympics National Summer Games in Dunedin but it wasn't that which made the Bay of Islands/Far North team stand out at the event - it was the number of the successes it had.

The equestrian team competed at Telford on Thursday and Friday while the swimmers competed at Moana Pool from Wednesday to Saturday.

In the pool, swimmers won six individual gold, four silver, 14 bronze, one relay gold and, much to the delight of their coaches, achieved a massive 42 PBs (personal bests).

There were many stellar performances but a few that need mention are: Yvonne Wilson, who was the only athlete to gain medals in all her four events; Sarasin Ben, who scored the biggest percentage PB (24 per cent in his 50m back); Darcy Burkhardt, who scored the biggest PB (by 25 seconds in his 100m free); Joshua Walker, who made his mark as a sprinter with a 16.92sec 25m free; and Alex Goldsack, who made his mark as a distance swimmer with a 3:52.01 in the 200m free. But perhaps the highlight was winning gold in the 4x50m free relay, the last event of the meet.

It was a massive effort but in particular by Tony Pakura who pulled out another personal best to ensure the gold.

At the equestrian event, Adam Horsfall, Chris Newhouse, Sarah Barnes and Rachel Harvie collected five gold, two silvers, four bronze medals and a fourth ribbon. A huge effort considering they were all riding different horses than those they have been riding in training.

The equestrian team thanked Kate Hewlett, Vicky Horsfall and Georgia Grimme for their great training and for getting the riders used to riding strange horses so they could do so well; while the swimmers thanked coaches Barbara Linton and Denise Pure, and also Paul Linton (who could not attend) for preparing and guiding them at the huge meet.

The full Far North team numbered 13 swimmers and four equestrians and with coaches the team totalled a 29-strong squad. Athletes in the Bay of Islands/Mangonui team came from Kaitaia, Kerikeri, Omapere, Moerewa, Kawakawa, Paihia and Kamo.

Organisers from the BOISO team thanked all the sponsors for helping to achieve full funding which in turn ensured all the qualified athletes could attend the event, which takes place every four years.

"Without the support of the local Rotary and Lions clubs, Oxford Sports Trust, Pub Charity, Podium Sports Trust, and Trillain Trust, the team would never have been able to go as the entire trip cost $35,000," said Paul and Barbara Linton on behalf of the team.