2015 New Zealand Short Course Championships – Day 5 Heats

Teenage sensation Gabrielle Fa’amausili is on track to defend her national backstroke title at the New Zealand Short Course Championships in Auckland today.

The United swimmer clocked 28.07 to be fasted in heats of the 50m backstroke from club mate Rebekah Bradley (28.43) and Neptune’s Kate Godfrey (28.68).

Leading individual Helena Gasson (North Shore) has a fifth title in her sights for the week going quickest in heats of the 200m butterfly in 2:14.55.

North Shore’s Wilrich Coetzee and United’s Max Polianksi will be up against each other again in tonight’s finals of the men's 200m butterfly after a week of close racing between the pair has seen them take two titles a piece so far.

Australian Joachim Bardum was quickest in 1:59.20 but in the battle for the national title it was Coetzee who clocked the fastest time going 2:01.32.

Howick Pakuranga swimmer Daniel Hunter will look to add to his 50m freestyle title after qualifying fastest in the 100m freestyle in 49.02 while in the women’s event Australian Ami Matsuo was fastest in 54.97 followed by Laura Quilter (North Shore) in 56.12.

The men’s 50m backstroke final will be led by Andrew Trembath who was quickest in 25.11.

Tonight’s finals will also see University Games swimmers Michael Mincham and Phillip Ryan compete in the 1500m freestyle.

CAPTION: Max Polianksi in action.