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New Zealand will have a Masters swimmer in the team for this year’s world open water championships in Italy.

Masterton’s Kirsten Cameron, 32, earned her spot after finishing third in the 10km open water swim at the Oceania Championships in Cairns today.

Cameron, who holds numerous national Masters’ records, was the leading New Zealander, finishing in 2hr 26min 17sec to claim the bronze medal.

Cameron, who swims for Wellington's Capital club, will also compete in the Masters World Championships in San Francisco next month before heading to Naples for the world open water swim.

Joining her is 15-year-old Kane Radford from Rotorua who produced a stunning finish to win the men’s event off Palm Cove beach on the third day of the Oceania Championships.

Radford (Russell Athletic) edged Australia’s James Davis by just eight seconds after a storming burst on the final lap to grab the gold medal for New Zealand in 2hr 7min 54sec.

The competition resumes in the pool tomorrow and finishes on Tuesday with the 5km open water swim on Wednesday.

Results, Oceania Championships, Open Water 10km:

Men: Kane Radford (Russell Athletic, Rotorua) 2:07:54, 1; James Davis (Aus) 2:08:03, 2; Kieran Carrigan (Aus) 2:09:54, 3.

Other New Zealanders: Karl Poole (Hamilton) 2:12:24, 4; Phillip Ryan (Waterhole, Auckland) 2:17:58, 5.

Women: Brooke Fletcher (Aus) 2:11:16, 1; Nikita Barsby (Aus) 2:24:34, 2; Kirsten Cameron (Capital) 2:26:17, 3; Kylie Salt (Mt Eden, Auck) 2:25.45, 4.

For further information:

Ian Hepenstall, Sports Media NZ, Tel 0275 613181, E: ianhep@xtra.co.nz