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SWIMMING

McMillan gold keeps Kiwis in touch

Surf Life Saving New Zealand

Friday 8 October 2010, 3:21PM

By Surf Life Saving New Zealand

1,231 views

The New Zealand women's 4 x 50m obstacle relay team of (from left) of Rachel Clarke, Samantha Lee, Ayla Dunlop-Barrett and Julia Toomey, who won the gold medal in Egypt today..
The New Zealand women's 4 x 50m obstacle relay team of (from left) of Rachel Clarke, Samantha Lee, Ayla Dunlop-Barrett and Julia Toomey, who won the gold medal in Egypt today.. Credit: Surf Life Saving New Zealand
Steve Kent (left) and Andrew McMillan celebrate their 200m obstacle race success.
Steve Kent (left) and Andrew McMillan celebrate their 200m obstacle race success. Credit: Surf Life Saving New Zealand

New Zealand surf lifesavers added two further gold medals in the pool at the world championships in Egypt today and head into the beach events with a 27-point lead over arch-rivals Australia.

St Clair swimmer Andrew McMillan won the 200m obstacle race in emphatic style, beating Italian rival Federico Pinotti by more than 2secs and exacting revenge from the last world titles.

"I wanted a bit of payback from two years ago where I got silver - he's a pretty amazing competitor so it was good to get one over him for a change," McMillan said. "The standard has definitely increased - the Germans and French have really improved and it makes it hard just to get into the A finals these days. It makes winning gold even sweeter. You've got to savour those moments, bank them away and save the excitement for hopefully winning the whole thing."

Wellington's Steve Kent picked up bronze in the same race.

The New Zealand women's 4 x 50m obstacle relay of Julia Toomey, Ayla Dunlop-Barrett, Samantha Lee and Rachel Clarke also picked up gold, clocking 1:52.67 to beat Australia and Italy.

Lee also snared silver in the 200m obstacles, while McMillan and Kent, along with Glenn Anderson and Dan Moodie, helped the men's 4 x 50m obstacle relay team to second in their final.

With two days of beach competition ahead, New Zealand's 340-point tally has them third overall behind Italy (420) and Germany (378) but McMillan admitted defending champions Australia were firmly in their sights.

"You can't underestimate them but we've still got a lead and we've got tough competitors on the beach who are pretty excited to get out and do their fair share. We're still really confident and there's a good feeling in the team."