The New Zealand Black Fins have made a record breaking entrance to the Lifesaving World Championships in the South of France overnight, setting three new World Records.

The current world champions have ended Day One of Rescue 2014 with four gold, three silver and two bronze medals. Lyall Bay's Samantha Lee grabbed three of the four golds.

Titahi Bay Surf Life Saving Club member Steven Kent led the record breaking charge, setting a new world record (and NZ record) in the Men's 200m Obstacles in a time of 1'53"33. Team captain Andrew McMillan (St Clair) was close behind in second place with a time of 1'53"73. Australia's Ryan Napoleon came in third with a time of 1'53"93.

Lee then continued the winning streak, setting another World Record (along with setting a new NZ record) in the Women's 100m Rescue Medley in a time of 1'09"18 ahead of France's Magali Rousseau and Italy's Silvia Meschiari. Fellow Lyall Bay SLSC member Natasha Hind finished in fifth place with a time of 1'13"80.

The Women's 4x50 Obstacles Relay team of Lee, Hind, Laura Quilter (Wainui) and Natalie Peat (Papamoa) took another gold and World Record with a time of 01:49,68. They beat the French hosts who had a time of 01:52,05, followed by the Italians in third with a time of 01:52,80.

Lee then grabbed her third gold of the day in the Women's 200m Obstacles in a time of 2'05"11, which is also a new New Zealand record.

The medals kept on coming with McMillan taking silver in the Men's 100m Rescue Medley in a time of 1'00"57 followed by Kent with a bronze in a time of 1'00"79. They were narrowly beaten by Germany's Danny Wieck who grabbed the gold in a time of 1'00"52.

It was then the girls' turn to add another silver medal to the mix with Lee, Hind, Quilter and Peat coming second in the Women's 4 x 25m Manikin Relay, beaten by Italy in first, with Germany coming in third.

Hind also grabbed a bronze in the Women's 200m Obstacles in a time of 2'07"50.

The Men's relay team of Kent, McMillan, Max Beattie (Omanu) and Chris Dawson (Midway) made the finals in the Men's 4x50m Obstacles finishing in fourth place and Quilter finished eighth in the Women's 100m Manikin Tow with Fins in a time of 1'03"12. In the prior heats, she set a New Zealand record in a time of 01:01.95.

Chris Dawson also set a new New Zealand record during the heats for the Men's 100m Manikin Tow with a time of 00.54.62.

New Zealand Team Manager Mark Weatherall says it was the start the team was after. "It was an outstanding performance, not only by the likes of Samantha Lee, Steve Kent and Andy McMillan, but each and every member who raced in the pool, he says.

"We spoke a lot about how hard Day One would be and to have come away from the pool with a number of medals and two new World Records is outstanding. "

Mr Weatherall says the team has worked so hard in the build-up. "So, it's neat to see them get the results. We start fresh again tomorrow (7pm tonight NZ time) and the team are well aware of the challenge in front of them," he says.

At the end of Day One, France is in the lead in the overall standings ahead of New Zealand and Australia.

The New Zealand Youth Team competition kicks-off at the beach tonight (NZ time).

Despite difficult weather conditions, the IRB and Masters competitions took place at La Grande-Motte beach.

In the Masters Competition, Mount Maunganui's Danielle Shepherd became a World Champion, grabbing gold in the Women's 30-34 Beach Flags along with taking bronze in the Beach Sprint. To cap off an impressive day, she finished fifth in the 30-35 Board Race.

Follow our national teams here on Facebook for results, updates and photos throughout the event.

For the full results visit http://www.rescue2014.fr/web/en/89-results.php and to watch the live streaming of the finals visit http://m.ustream.tv/channel/rescue-2014

Day One results:

Gold- Sam Lee: Women's 100m Rescue Medley, 1'09"18 (WR)
Gold - Steve Kent: Men's 200m Obstacles, 1'53"33 (WR)
Gold- Samantha Lee, Natasha Hind, Natalie Peat, Laura Quilter: Women's 4x50m Obstacles, 01:49,68 (WR)
Gold- Samantha Lee: Women's 200m Obstacles, 2'05"11
Silver- Lee, Hind, Quilter, Peat: Women's 4x25m Manikin Relay
Silver- Andy McMillan: Men's 100m Rescue Medley, 1'00"57
Silver- Andy McMillan: Men's 200m Obstacles, 1'53"73
Bronze- Steve Kent: Men's 100m Rescue Medley, 1'00"79
Bronze- Natasha Hind: Women's 200m Obstacles, 2'07"50
Fourth- Men's 4x50m Obstacles Relay: (Kent, McMillan, Max Beattie, Chris Dawson), 01.38.56
Fifth- Natasha Hind: Women's 100m Rescue Medley, 1'13"80
Eighth- Women's 100m Manikin Tow with fins: Laura Quilter, 1'03"12

New Zealand Team:

Natasha Hind- Lyall Bay
Samantha Lee- Lyall Bay
Chanel Hickman- Mairangi Bay
Danielle McKenzie- Mairangi Bay
Laura Quilter- Wainui
Natalie Peat- Papamoa
Steven Kent- Titahi Bay
Andrew McMillan- St Clair
Paul Cracroft Wilson- Fitzroy
Cory Taylor- Midway
Max Beattie- Omanu
Chris Dawson- Midway

Scott Bartlett- Coach
Jason Pocock- Assistant Coach
Mark Weatherall- Manager
Steven Vaughan- Assistant Manager
Susan Pirret- Physiotherapist
Dr Caroline Stuart- Sports Doctor (non-traveling)

New Zealand Youth Team:

Madison Kidd - Papamoa
Maia Bryant - Papamoa
Ben Cochrane - Omanu
Olivia Eaton - Mt Maunganui
Jacob Hales - Papamoa
Jake Hurley - Mairangi Bay
Ben Johnston - Papamoa
Matthew Scott - Midway
Jasmine Smith - Wainui
Andrew Trembath - St Clair
Brittany Tucker - Sumner
Hannah Williams - Piha

Kurt Wilson- Coach
Jonelle Quane- Assistant Coach
Brent Wilson- Manager
Mike Ellis- Physiotherapist

Andy McMillan (captain) and Steve Kent receieve their gold and silver medals in the Men's 100m Rescue Medley at Rescue 2014.

For more information please contact: 

Lisa Honeybone, Media & Communications Specialist, SLSNZ
Phone 09 303 9335 or 0276 488 823
Email lisa.honeybone@surflifesaving.org.nz