Cups fly as Wanganui teen wins stacking title

TOP 3: Wanganui's Jasmine Anthony, centre, won the female title at the national sportstacking championships last month, with Hutt Valley's Elizabeth Kananghinis, left, the runner-up and Wanganui's Allanah Millar third.PHOTO/SUPPLIED 02072015WCSUPTOP3

The Wanganui region's 'Black Stacks' representatives put their overseas experience to good use at the 2015 NZ National Sportstacking Championships last month.

Held at Wellington Girls College on June 20, 14-year-old Jasmine Anthony of Wanganui Girls College was the first overall female, while Cullinane's Allanah Millar, 13, finished third.

It was the final step in the national progression for Anthony, who finished third overall female at last year's nationals in Palmerston North.

Feilding's Ben Flightly won the New Zealand title as best overall competitor, narrowly beating Dunedin's William McLauchlan, while Marton's Caleb Arthur placed third.

Flightly, along with Anthony, Millar and Arthur were selected for the 'Black Stacks' team which went to the World Championships in Montreal in April, although Arthur did not attend.

Flightly finished third overall, while Anthony made the Top 10 of the female 13-14 years division and Millar earned a Top 10 placing in one of disciplines of the same grade.

In Wellington, Anthony and Millar were also joined by their sisters, Sarah Anthony and Brooklyn Millar respectively, to form a team in the timed relay to complete the 3-6-3 pyramid cups formation.

The "Wanganui Sisters" team finished third overall.

There were 50 competitors taking part in the nationals, with over 20 records potentially broken from world through to asian and national level.

The records have to be verified in the United States by the World Sport Stacking Association

Local spokeswoman Tracey Anderson said the wet weather conditions of that weekend had a big impact on the event.

"Some competitors were unable to make it through road closures to attend the competition, others had lengthy delays and although late managed to attend and compete.

"Some were stranded in the Wellington area overnight after the competition and unable to return home."