Six wins on the trot was brought up in style by the NSW squad at the Australian Interstate Beach and Ocean Championships at Wanda on 13 December, even though a nail-biting finish saw just five points separate first and second when the podium was announced.
A 20-strong team of the state’s best U17, U19 and Open athletes put together a stellar showing on the sand – medals in all but two events lay the platform for a victory which continued NSW’s dominance of the Championships.
Mollymook SLSC’s Ashton Neall and Swansea Belmont SLSC’s Phoebe Doran were among those to pick up beach medals in the Opens – the former taking gold in the Sprint – while Phoebe’s clubmate, Emerson Leadbetter continues to go from strength to strength, picking up the Flags and Sprint double in the Youth category.
In the water, Isabella Tate and Kaitlin Rees, from Cudgen Headland SLSC and Swansea Belmont, respectively, managed to see at least one of them podium in every Youth event, while the team of Olivia Clues, Charlie Verco (Newport SLSC), Nicholas Middleton and Britney Pierce (Wanda SLSC) was too strong in the Open Mixed Board Relay.
NSW Team Captain and Newport Ironwoman, Jemma Smith was a winner herself in the Open Female Single Ski, and said she was proud of her team’s big effort.
“It’s a testament to the depth of incredible athletes we have here in NSW,” she said.
“It’s always such an honour to pull on the blue cap of your state, and always do your best and that’s what the team did today.
“We were pushed right to the end by Queensland, but I’m really happy to be standing on top of the podium.”
NSW then continued the good form into the Super Surf Teams League (SSTL), which took place from 14-15 December, where the NSW Junior Blues side took out the U17 competition.
Made up of the youth athletes who competed for NSW the day before, the Junior Blues topped the point score on both days to run away with the win.
Proud Junior Blues team member and young gun, Kaitlin Rees, banked valuable points for her team over the two days, taking out Saturday’s U17 Female Single Ski and Sunday’s U17 Female Board Race.
“We’ve got a really good team this year and the atmosphere is just awesome,” she said.
“It’s awesome to be in a team with those you compete against all year. The one time you get to put a cap on together and race. It’s really good vibes and everyone’s awesome in the team.”
In the Open SSTL competition, NSW earned a podium spot with the Blues team once again – made up, as the Junior Blues were, of athletes who competed in Interstates.
Monday 16 December 2024