Kiwis make their mark at Orange Cup

It's been a successful couple of days for the Kiwis competing at the Orange Cup pool competition in the Netherlands.

After a 32 hour trip from Auckland, the team arrived on Friday night and were into racing at 11.30am on Saturday (11.30pm NZ time). 

Events for the first day of competition included 200m Obstacle Swim, 4x50 m Obstacle Relay, Line Throw, 4x25m Manikin Relay and 100m Manikin Tow with Fins.

Each of the team members were only able to compete in four individual events.

Samantha Lee set the bar high claiming gold in the Women's 200m Obstacle Swim in a time of 2.07.83 with Laura Quilter close behind in second (2.09.35). Carina Doyle came in fifth in a time of 2.15.50.

Then it was over to the Men with Steve Kent taking silver (1.56.14) and Andrew Trembath in seventh (2.03.09). Andy McMillan took the Masters title with a time of 2:00.33.
Chris Dawson, Andy McMillan, Trembath and Kent then took gold in the Men's 200m Obstacle Relay in a time of 1.0.26.

New Zealand Team Manager Mark Weatherall says it was a strong showing from the team so, all in all, they are happy with where things finished on Day One.

On Day Two, it was on to the rest of the events including the 50m Manikin Carry, 100m Manikin Carry with Fins, 4x50m Rescue Medley Relay, 100m Rescue Medley and 200m Super Lifesaver.

Once again, it was a great start from the girls with Quilter taking first in the Women's 50m Manikin Carry where she also set a new NZ record in a time of 34.66. Lee was close behind in second on 36.38 with Doyle coming in tenth with a time of 39.32.

Over in the Men's 50m Carry, McMillan claimed the fastest overall time in 31.12 with Dawson in 17th with a time of 33.70. McMillan added another medal to his tally taking silver in the Masters 100m Manikin Tow with Fins (57.86).

In the Women's 100m Manikin Carry with Fins, Quilter took out third (55.91) with Lee in fourth (56.18) and in the Men's event, Kent took third (47.62) with Dawson in ninth (49.67) and Andrew Trembath in 15th (50.54)

The Men's 4x50m Rescue Medley Relay team of Dawson, Kent, Trembath and McMillan were then quick to claim bronze in a time of 1.33.06. The boys then went on to claim sixth in the Men's 4x25m Manikin Relay with a time of 1.15.26.

The Women's 100m Rescue Medley saw Lee claim another gold with a time of 1.09.91 with Quilter in second (1.13.68) and in the Men's, Kent claimed gold (1.02.99). Andy McMillan gold in Masters 100m Rescue Medley (1:04.34)

In the final event, the 200m Super Lifesaver, Doyle took silver for the girls in a time of 2.31.83 and Dawson came in fourth (2.15.01) in the Men's event with Kent in fifth (2.15.93).

Mr Weatherall says the team's focus will now shift to preparation for the German Cup.

"There is no rest here for the team as we look to make the most of the next few days in Netherlands training at the pool twice a day.

The competition pool is also the venue for next year's World Championships and Mr Weatherall will also be conducting a site visit at the beach in preparation for Rescue 2016.

The team will drive to Germany on Wednesday morning for final preparations for the German Cup that begins on Friday night (NZ Time)

Keep an eye out on the High Performance Facebook page for news, updates and photos.

NZ Team:
Samantha Lee, Lyall Bay
Laura Quilter, Wainui
Carina Doyle, St Clair
Andrew Trembath, St Clair
Andy McMillan, St Clair
Steve Kent, Titahi Bay
Chris Dawson, Midway

For more information, please contact:

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