PORT HACKINGS WORLD LIFESAVING FIRST IN ADELAIDE

Posted in Other News

RESCUE 2012, Adelaide, November 12, 2012: Port Hacking Lifeguards have created World Life Saving history with the successful defence of their Simulated Emergency Response Competition Inter-Club title at Rescue 2012 in Adelaide last night.

Coached by Bec Cohen, who steered the Australian team to victory in the National Teams Championship last week, the Port Hacking foursome of Andrew and Scott Fisher, Felysia Konakoff and Siobhan Jones became the first team to successfully defend their SERC crown.

But Port Hacking only just defeated Great Britain club Rawmarsh Life Saving Club by the barest of margins, 284 points to 283 with fellow British club Retford & District Life Saving Club third on 271.8.

Team manager Gray Parkes was quick to praise his team, saying it remains one of the toughest events to win on the Pool Rescue program.

“That is the same team that won the World Title in Egypt two years ago and to come to Adelaide and repeat the effort has never been achieved before – full marks to the team and to coach Bec Cohen,” said Parkes.

Later in night two-time Australian representative and Royal Life Saver of the Year Mitchell Parkes combined with Luke Harper to win bronze in the open men’s Line Throw, won by Swizz pair Tobias Schnetzler and Manuel Zoellig (see attached photo) who clocked a time of 9.06 seconds – just 0.03 outside the world record.

In other major finals, Ariane Erdmann and Jessica Kuhn from the German club DLRG Luckenwalde won the open women’s Line Throw from Canadian club Alberta’s Sophie Goswell and Jennifer Southwood with Port Hacking Lifeguards Jane Cooper and Konakoff taking the bronze.

Meanwhile Alessandro Cuoghi (Rane Rosse Aqvasport, ITA) is the fastest qualifier into today’s final of the open men’s 200m Obstacles in a time of 1:59.61 from Kurt Herzog (Port Hacking Lifeguards) 2:00.46 and Daniele Sanna (Rane Rosse Aqvasport, ITA) third.

But in third, fourth and fifth are former Australian World Championship swimmer Stephen Parkes (Port Hacking Lifeguards), Australian belt champion Dev Lahey (Northcliffe) and his club mate, New Zealand Olympian Andrew McMillan in what will be a cracking final.

The women’s final will see Rane Rosse Aqvasport, ITA swimmer Silvia Meschiari 2:13.94; Sophie Taylor (Port Hacking Lifeguards) 2:14.41 and Elisa Borasi (Rane Rosse Aqvasport, ITA) with two more Australians, Northcliffe Miranda Bell (2:6.05) and Kristyl Smith (2:17.31) sixth and seventh respectively.

Today’s major finals start with the 200m Obstacle finals from 2.30pm.

YESTERDAY’S RESULTS:

Rescue 2012 World Life Saving Championships Interclub Mixed Open Simulated Emergency Response Competition (SERC) 284 Port Hacking Lifeguards F Konakoff A Fisher S Fisher S Jones 283 Rawmarsh Life Saving Club (GBR) A Butterfield J Scurrah R Sheard S Worne 271.8 Retford & District Life Saving Club (GBR) H Caverley I Hutchings C Matheson O Morton 16-19 Years SERC 263.5 The Hills Swimming & Lifesaving Club B Fishburn T Jones M Knight G Whitely 235.5 Retford & District Lifesaving (GBR) J Caverley J Hancock J Manifiled J Moore 224.3 Terrigal K Bridge R King M Schofield J Waddell Female 16-19 Line Throw: DLRG Emsdetten (GER) A Beike L Broker 16.45 Wanda (AUS) E Green M Sargeant 18.24 Moana (AUS) R Mader B Wolfaardt 25.33 Male 16-19 Line Throw: DLRG Rheda-Wiedenbrueck (GER) C Diermann R Wehlitz 10.35WR Wanda (AUS) J Boxall J Woods 11.10 DLRG Beckum Lippetal (GER) M Oliwa T Schwegmann 11.46 Open Male Line Throw: Baden-Brugg (SUI) T Schnetzler M Zoellig 9.06 DLRG Halle-Saalekreis (GER) C Ertel D Wieck 9.37 Port Hacking Lifeguards (AUS) L Harper M Parkes 9.47 Rescue 2012 World Life Saving Championships, Pool FINALS: Open Female Line Throw: DLRG Luckenwalde (GER) A Erdmann J Kuhn Alberta (CAN) S Gowsell J Southwood Port Hacking Lifeguards (AUS) J Cooper F Konakoff.

ABOUT RESCUE 2012
Rescue 2012 will be held in Adelaide, South Australia, from November 7-18, 2012 and will include five separate competitions - World National Team Championships, World Interclub Championships, World Masters Championships, World Surf Boat Championships, and World Inflatable Rescue Boat Championships.

Rescue 2012 is open to all proficient lifesavers. The Masters competition is open to all proficient lifesavers who are 30 years of age or above.

Athletes can compete in nine separate disciplines - swimming, simulated emergency rescue, Ironman / Ironwoman, surf-ski, board, beach sprints, beach flags, surf boats and IRB.

Beach, National Teams and all IRB events will be held at Glenelg Beach.

Christies Beach will be the home of all Masters, Interclub and Surf Boat events.

The South Australian State Aquatic and Leisure Centre will host all Pool events.

PHOTOS BY Harvpix.com AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

MEDIA ACCREDITATION CLICK HERE

Attention all media who intend covering Rescue 2012, that Media Accreditation is for working media only and accreditation forms MUST be signed off by your editor before accreditation will be processed. A reminder also that Rescue 2012 will have its own official photographer in Harvie Allison (Harvpix.com ) who will distribute to all media outlets. Freelance photographers who are uploading for their own websites WILL NOT be accredited. ONLY photographers working for newspapers and registered agencies will receive accreditation.

Issued on behalf of Rescue 2012.