The Australian team has just won its 12th consecutive Sanyo Bussan International Lifesaving Cup in Japan.


The Aussie team made up of 10 athletes, including two NSW champion Ironpersons, Jackson Borg (Newport SLSC) and Naomi Scott (Manly LSC) who continued their legacy of domination in the waves and on the sand.



On the beach of Momochi the team took a total overall point score of 930 at the conclusion of the two days of competition. Their closest rivals New Zealand came in second.



NSW athlete and Australia’s Youth Life Saving Team co-captain Naomi Scott said many of the team were representing their country for the first time, “The stoke was pretty high,” said Scott. “The team came together really well. Racing for your country is unlike any other competitive experience in the surf sports calendar. You go above and beyond when you’re wearing the green and gold.”



On her third trip representing Australia in this event, Scott dominated the Ironwoman event over the two days. She dominated the M-shape racing format as well as leading the Surf Teams and Board Rescue crews to outstanding wins with team mates Brielle Cooper (Kurrawa) and Tiarnee Massie (Maroochydore).



Fellow NSW team member Jackson Borg, who is the 2019 NSW Open Men’s Ironman Champion, first visited Japan in 2016 as part of the Australian Youth Life Saving Team. He continued his success from the Australian season into Japan despite being drawn for a number of highly contentious swim legs.



“The vibe in Fukuoka was amazing,”said Borg. “Everyone was so excited to get the Australian representative cap on, first time or not. The racing was really fast-paced purely because there are less athletes on the line, so there are no heats. It’s high pressure and unique because you come up against people you’ve never raced with or against.”



With sunny, summer Northern Hemisphere conditions on offer, the teams worked with the flat conditions and wind which created great runners said Scott, “It was amazing to have the wind swell especially in the rescue events.” Borg added that he felt comfortable in the chop, following the team’s race plan. “I do prefer flat conditions, but as soon as I worked out the combo with both the conditions and our plan I really got the confidence I needed to get us over the line first.”



In the week that is celebrating the success of women’s sport we asked Scott about how the accomplishment of women across all sports is inspiring her.



“I think the opportunities available to women in sport right now are amazing, although there is still so far to go,” she said. “It’s awesome to see so many inspiring, well-grounded women doing great things and achieving worthy results in so many different sports. I grew up looking up to Ironwoman Courtney Hancock and the successes she had in our sport, so it’s surreal I’m now competing against her.”



Kurt Wilson who heads up the Australian Lifesaving Team spoke of how pleasing it was for the young team to gain such results this week. “To see everyone settle into an international event and post consistent performances over the duration of the event is great news. The team represents the strength of the core pathways program and shows the experience even our youngest athletes bring to the international stage.”



The event is an annual international lifesaving competition. Event hosts, Japan invite teams from around the globe to compete and share their lifesaving expertise each June.



For full results visit http://sanyo-lifesavingcup.com/





 



Tuesday 25 June 2019