Records for Fa’amausili, Hunter

Gabrielle Fa’amausili and Daniel Hunter closed out the Swimming New Zealand Short Course Championships in style tonight with two New Zealand records at the new Sir Owen G Glenn National Aquatic Centre at the AUT Millennium.

Fa’amausili (United) clocked 27.27 in the 50m backstroke to finish ahead of club mate Rebekah Bradley (28.29) and take .10s off the previous New Zealand record set in 2009 by Emily Thomas.

It was Fa’amausili’s fourth title of the week to equal the individual standings with North Shore’s Helena Gasson, last year’s leading individual.

Hunter had an outstanding swim in the 100m freestyle touching in 47.61 to also defend his title and break the New Zealand record.

The Howick Pakuranga swimmer broke the previous record of 47.77 set by Michael Jack in 2009 and finished nearly two seconds ahead of second place former Olympian William Benson (Heretaunga) who went 49.47.

Fa’amausili has had a stand out week also claiming titles in the 50m freestyle, 100m backstroke and 100m individual medley, something she says is a real confidence boost looking ahead to her world junior title defence at the end of the month.

“I think I lost my confidence a bit at opens and I’ve definitely gained more of it back this week and hopefully I’ll be fired up to go for Junior Worlds and Youth Commonwealth Games,” Fa’amausili said.

A recent move to the United Swimming Club also helping the 15 year old to reignite her drive with Fa’amausili enjoying the new environment and knowledge from head coach Igor Polianski.

“Everyone is so like-minded and driven to do their best in everything and the coach, Igor Polianski, he’ so wise and he gives me more confidence to do better.”

Fa’amausili will look to defend her 50m backstroke title at the World Junior Championships in Singapore from August 25 before competing at the Youth Commonwealth Games in Samoa in September.

Recently returned from the World University Games Hunter wasn’t sure the New Zealand record was within his reach tonight.

“I was just focusing on keeping the same processes going into the race and just making sure that I stick to my routines, said Hunter. “I wasn’t quite expecting to go as quick as I did but it was an awesome surprise.

“I was absolutely stoked, I couldn’t ask for anything more, it was a personal best first of all and to break the New Zealand record was just a bonus on top of that.”

Hunter is now looking forward to a short break before getting into his build up for the Olympic trials next year starting with three FINA World Cup meets through October and November.

Gasson just missed picking up her fifth title of the week in the 200m butterfly, the win going to Commonwealth Games swimmer Samantha Lee (Captial).

Lee clocked 2:10.05 ahead of Gasson (2:10.14) and Australian Emily Washer (2:11.10).

A recent member to the North Shore club, after moving from Fairfield, Gasson had hoped to top last year’s efforts but was pleased to see her times improve and is enjoying her new swim team.

“It’s a really fun environment, I really enjoy it there,” she said. “I was always going to move up here after I graduated, so always a part of the plan, but I’m glad I’ve done it.”

The 20-year old is also taking a positive outlook towards Rio next year saying it’s definitely the goal and she is just going to go for it.

A week of close racing between United’s Max Polianski and North Shore’s Wilrich Coetzee culminated tonight in the 200m butterfly where Polianksi had a determined swim to take honours in 1:56.97 ahead of Coetzee (1:57.87).

Australian Ami Matsuo was first in the women’s 100m butterfly in 53.96 with Laura Quilter (North Shore) claiming the national title in 54.87.

Neptune’s Andrew Trembath took honours in the men’s 50m backstroke in 24.90 from Howick Pakuranga’s Bayley Main (25.14) and Polianksi (25.15).

The men’s 1500m title went to Michael Mincham (Waterhole) in 15.02.72.

In tonight’s Para-Swimming Christopher Arbuthnott (Ice Breaker) was first in the 100m freestyle in 59.06 while in the women’s event Olivia Upston claimed honours in 1:21.76.

The men’s 50m backstroke title went to Celyn Edwards (Selwyn) in 42.70 and the women’s title to Kate McKelvie (Greendale) in 44.74.

CAPTION: Daniel Hunter at the New Zealand Short Course Championships at the Sir Owen G Glenn National Aquatic Centre tonight. The image is free for editorial use only. Credit: BW Media.

Day 5 Results

Men’s 100m freestyle: Daniel Hunter (Howick Pakuranga) 47.61 (New Zealand record), 1; William Benson (Heretaunga) 49.47, 2; Julian Weir (Aquabladz) 49.55, 3.

Women’s 100m freestyle: Ami Matsuo (AUS) 53.96, 1; Laura Quilter (North Shore) 54.87, 2; Samantha Lucie-Smith (North Shore) 55.10, 3.

Men’s 200m butterfly: Max Polianksi (United) 1:56.97, 1; Wilrich Coetzee (North Shore) 1:57.87, 2; Joachim Bardum (AUS) 2:00.08, 3.

Women’s 200m butterfly: Samantha Lee (Capital) 2:10.05, 1; Helena Gasson (North Shore) 2:10.14, 2; Emily Washer (AUS) 2:11.73, 3.

Men’s 50m backstroke: Andrew Trembath (Neptune) 24.90, 1; Bayley Main (Howick Pakuranga) 25.14, 2; Max Polianski (United) 25.15.

Women’s 50m backstroke: Gabrielle Fa’amausili (United) 27.27 (New Zealand record), 1; Rebekah Bradley (United) 28.29, 2; Kate Godfrey (Neptune) 28.71, 3.

Men’s 1500m freestyle: Michael Mincham (Waterhole) 15:02.72, 1; Hamish Trlin (Capital) 15:30.02, 2; Phillip Ryan (Waterhole) 15:42.46, 3.

Para Results

Men’s 100m freestyle: Christopher Arbuthnott (Ice Breaker) 59.06, 1; Tama Solouota (Papatoetoe) 1:06.24, 2; George Adam (North Canterbury) 1:12.60, 3.

Women’s 100m freestyle: Olivia Upston (Parnell) 1:21.76, 1; Kate McKelvie (Greendale) 1:26.04, 2; Amy Noble (Karori) 1:26.95, 3

Men’s 50m backstroke: Celyn Edwards (Selwyn) 42.70, 1.

Women’s 50m backstroke: Kate McKelvie (Greendale) 44.74, 1; Olivia Upston (Parnell) 45.03, 2; Amy Noble (Karori) 45.45, 3.

NZ Short Course Championships