New Zealand’s Short Course Championships continued today and day 2 brought more fast swimming for the Kiwis at the Sir Owen G. Glenn National Aquatic Center in Auckland.
Helena Gasson from North Shore Swimming Club earned her second title of the championships, winning the 200m IM in a time of 2:13.27. Gasson kicked off the meet with a win in the women’s 50m butterfly on night 1. Of her IM, Gasson said, “I wanted to go a 2:12 but it was pretty much there so I was very happy with that.” She describes her mentality as targeting personal bests. “In the butterflies I’m really looking for good PBs, same in the IM as well. My placing is just whatever happens happens. Of course I want to be gold but personal bests are the main thing at the moment.”
Another female kept the swift swims coming, as 15-year old Gabrielle Fa’Amausili of United Swimming Club nabbed the win in the 100m backstroke, topping the field in a speedy 58.64. With her victory, Fa’Amausili registered a new national age group record and was the only competitor to dip beneath the :59 threshold in the race.
Englishman Matt Shead followed up his 100m breaststroke win from night 1 with another first-place performance, topping the podium in the men’s 50m breaststroke. Shead touched in 26.98 to take the event by over half a second over the rest of the field.
Prelims continue tomorrow at 9am local time.
