Eleven Kiwi swimmers qualify in day one heats
Eleven New Zealand swimmers qualified on the opening morning of heats at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
Four Kiwis progress directly to the finals tonight at the Melbourne Aquatic Centre featuring Helen Norfolk (North Shore) in the 200m individual medley, West Auckland’s Lauren Boyle in the 200m freestyle and Moss Burmester (North Shore) and Andrew McMillan (Neptune, Otago) in the 200m butterfly.
The others to qualify for tonight’s semifinals include Scott Talbot-Cameron and Cameron Gibson in the 50m backstroke, Liz Coster, Nichola Chellingworth and Georgina Toomey in the 50m butterfly, Zoe Baker and Annabelle Carey in the 50m breaststroke.
``It was a pleasing and solid start for the squad,’’ coach Jan Cameron said. ``They were itching to go and the first morning is always a little tentative and nervous. But I felt they handled things well and there were some good swims.’’
Eighteen-year-old Boyle started with a big personal best to qualify for tonight’s final of the 200m freestyle. She clocked 2:01.11, more than a second under her previous best, to grab the final place in tonight’s final.
Atlanta Olympian Alison Fitch swum 2:01.69, 10th fastest but 5/10ths away from qualifying, with North Shore clubmate Melissa Ingram 12th fastest in 2:02.60.
Norfolk impressed to be fourth fastest behind three Australians in the 200m individual medley. She clocked 2:16.93 and was pleased ahead of tonight’s final.
``I was happy. It was my third-fastest swim ever and I am not a morning swimmer. I love the atmosphere in the pool and I am excited about the finals tonight. I know I have a lot more left in me and I would certainly like to make sure there are not three Australians ahead of me tonight.’’
The 200m butterfly is shaping up as a monumental trans-tasman battle between Burmester and McMillan against Australians Travis Nederpelt and Joshua Krough.
Nederpelt was fastest in 1:57.36 with Burmester 2.5sec behind.
``It felt quite comfortable. I just wanted to have a solid swim, get the feel of the water and be solid. I know there’s a lot left for tonight.’’
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