NZ surf lifesaving team named

New Zealand surf lifesaving selectors have named a team dripping with experience for the world championships in Egypt later this year.

Eight of the 12 athletes competed at the last world lifesaving titles in Germany two years ago, with Glenn Anderson heading for a record fifth appearance after making his New Zealand debut at Daytona Beach in the United States in 2002.

The 30-year-old, who coaches and competes for the New Plymouth Old Boys club, will equal the five world championships that ironman legend Cory Hutchings attended when he lines up in the coastal city of Alexandria in October.

Anderson led New Zealand to second behind Australia in Germany , helping set a world record in the 4x50m obstacle relay in the process.

Two of his teammates that day, Andrew McMillan (St Clair) and Steven Kent (Titahi Bay) return to the team, along with ski and board specialist Kevin Morrison (Mairangi Bay) who made his first appearance in 2008.

The new male faces are five-time New Zealand ironman champion Daniel Moodie, who is set for his world championship debut at the age of 22, and Taranaki beach sprinting star Paul Cracroft-Wilson.

The Fitzroy flyer recently finished second in the Australian national beach flags championships and is the defending world interclub champion.

The two new faces in the women’s ranks are Orewa’s Rachel Clarke and Lyall Bay teenager Samantha Lee.

Lee, who is in her final year at Wellington East Girls' College, is a rising pool star, while Clarke won the national under-19 and open ironwoman titles at last year’s New Zealand championships.

They’ll join Mount Maunganui beach sprinter Chelsea Maples, Taranaki swimmer Ayla Dunlop-Barrett and experienced pair Nikki Cox (Westshore) and Julia Toomey (Muriwai).

Cox and Toomey are both reigning world champions, with Cox the defending women’s board race title holder, with Toomey winning the 100m rescue medley in 2008.

New Zealand coach Scott Bartlett said the selectors had a difficult job narrowing their choices down to the 12 picked.

“There are some unlucky athletes who just missed out but they have to take a bow for pushing the successful team members so hard throughout the season,” Bartlett said.

“We’re certainly not lacking experience though and with a bit of youthful exuberance thrown in, that will definitely help us as we go out to try and dethrone Australia .”

 

New Zealand world championship team:

Men: Andrew McMillan (St Clair), Daniel Moodie (Westshore), Glenn Anderson (New Plymouth Old Boys), Kevin Morrison ( Mairangi Bay ), Paul Cracroft-Wilson (Fitzroy), Steven Kent ( Titahi Bay ).

Women: Ayla Dunlop-Barrett (New Plymouth Old Boys), Chelsea Maples (Mt Maunganui), Julia Toomey (Muriwai), Nikki Cox (Westshore), Rachel Clarke (Orewa), Samantha Lee ( Lyall Bay ).

Coach: Scott Bartlett. Assistant coach: John Munro. Physio: Kate Bonner. Manager: Paul Ryan.

 

The Lifesaving World Championships Rescue 2010 will take place in Egypt from October 2-17.

Pool events will take place in the Olympic Swimming Pool of Alexandria and Ocean events will take place in Mamoura Beach . More than 3000 athletes and 1000 delegates, officials and team managers will take part.