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West Auckland swimmer Lauren Boyle will jet out from her collegiate base in USA this weekend to join the New Zealand team for the Fina World Championships in Melbourne.

Boyle, 18, has passed a fitness test recently and has just competed in the NCAA Championships as a shakedown for the world championships.

She withdrew from December’s World Championship Trials in Auckland after she suffered a several bronchial complaint as a result of the chlorine issue at the pool in Waitakere City. The teenager was selected for the world championships subject to a suitable fitness test.

Boyle took up a swimming scholarship to the University of California in Berkeley this year and completed a solid test over 200m freestyle after which the national selectors endorsed her selection.

She competed for her college at the NCAA Championships this week, finishing 19th in the 1650yds and 26th in the 500 yds heats.

“Lauren completed her trial in good shape and we are looking forward to her joining the team,” head coach Jan Cameron said.

“She did not swim quite as well as she would have wanted in the NCAA Championship but there are a few factors. She has her focus on the world championships and she’s only a freshman at what was an extremely big meet.”

Boyle is back in training and will fly directly to Melbourne to join the team who will travel down from their training base at the resort of Thredbo in the Snowy Mountains next Tuesday.

“Lauren’s coach Donna Bouzaid is one of our national coaches for the worlds and she will be keen to meet with her and assess where she is at. Lauren is definitely an important part of our programme and a key part of our relay aspirations.”

Sprinters Zoe Baker and England-based Cameron Gibson will also join the team in Melbourne.

The pool competition begins on Sunday 25 March in the drop-in 50m pool at the Rod Laver Arena.

For interviews contact:
Mark Saunders, Team Manager, Tel 61 4 37 078 533

For further information contact:
Ian Hepenstall, Sports Media NZ, Tel 0275 613181