The New Zealand swimming team completed time trials today to finalise two of their relay teams for the London Olympics.
The team decided on time trials to ensure the fastest in-form swimmers would contest the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay, which had automatically earned a spot in London based on their eighth placing in last year’s world championships.
“We want to ensure the fastest swimmers are competing in the relays for us. They qualified more than 12 months ago,” said Swimming Team Leader, Rushdee Warley.
“The fairest way to determine the in-form swimmers who can handle the Olympic occasion was a time trial.”
Swimmers had the option of retaining the time they set in the Olympic Trials or to race the time trial.
Natasha Hind decided to bypass the time trial with her 1:58.69 set in the Olympic Trials while Lauren Boyle was not required to swim as the only individual who had achieved an Olympic Qualifying Time (FINA A).
Wellington’s Samantha Lucie-Smith won the time trial in 1:59.98 ahead of Melissa Ingram (2:00.70), Amaka Gessler (2:00.86) and Penelope Marshall (2:01.40).
Boyle, the top qualifier, will make a decision on her availability following her individual 400m freestyle on Sunday.
Hind is assured of her spot in the team followed in order by Lucie-Smith, Ingram, Gessler and Marshall.
Meanwhile Andrew McMillan clocked 53.30 in a solo time trial for the 100m butterfly in his attempt for a spot in the men’s medley relay. Daniel Bell, who claimed the original spot with his 53.57 at the Olympic Trials, will need to better McMillan’s time in the individual 100m butterfly competition.
All other places in the women’s 4x100m freestyle, men’s 4x200m freestyle and men’s 4x100m medley relays other than the butterfly leg have been finalised. Athletes had to have achieved a minimum of the Olympic Invitation Time (FINA B) to be considered as per the FINA regulations.
For comment contact:
Rushdee Warley
Tel (+44) 07729615760
For further information contact:
Ian Hepenstall
Tel (+44) 07729615708
SNZ Events
