Water rush: Marc Lemaire-Sicre is tipped as a strong contender at the South Island Swimming Champs
Some of New Zealand’s best young swimming talent will be making waves in Queenstown this weekend.
For the first time, the resort hosts the South Island Swimming Championships – a major annual meet attracting some 230 emerging youngsters.
Among the competitors heading to Alpine Aqualand are national swim team member and 2010 Commonwealth Games athlete Natalie Wiegersma, from Southland, plus national development squad members Natasha Lloyd, from Canterbury, and Dunedin’s Phoebe Williams and Katie Kenneally.
Queenstown Swimming Club has 13 swimmers qualified to enter
Hot Wakatipu picks
Marc Lemaire-Sicre
Age: 17
A strong contender for the 100 metres backstroke, 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle in the 16-years-and-over division
Ella Ferguson
Age: 15
Should contest 100m and 200m backstroke finals in the 14-15 years’ division. Also entering the 400m individual medley
Casey Strachan
Age: 13
A strong distance swimmer entering 200m, 400m and 1500m freestyle in the 13-and-under category
Ben Dennison
Age: 14
One to watch in the 14-15 years’ 1500m freestyle. Also entering 200m and 400m freestyle
Isabella Reid
Age: 14
Should perform well in the gruelling 14-15 years’ 400m individual medley and in the 200m backstroke
Rebekah Paul
Age: 13
Expected to do well in the 13-and-under 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke
the three-day champs, which begin tomorrow.
Organised by Swim Otago, the short-course competition is being held in the resort “to recognise Central Otago’s contribution to swimming”, QSC coach Frank Wylie says.
“It’s a really significant event ... for many young swimmers it will be their biggest meet to date, while for others it will provide a great opportunity to contest finals and develop their racing skills prior to competing at the NZ Age Group Short-Course Championships in Christchurch in late September.”
Local swimmers Ben Dennison, 14, and Casey Strachan, 13, will be entering the long-distance 1500 freestyle event, which is new for the club, Wylie adds.
“It’s pleasing for me to see them taking on the longer swimming events. It indicates they have got a courageous attitude and shows the benefits of year-round training. It takes a bit of guts to expose yourself when you’re swimming further,” Wylie says.
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