NORTHCLIFFE ADDS WORLD TITLE TO THEIR MANTLE AT RESCUE 2008

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA, BERLIN, GERMANY, August  2: They've won numerous Australian and Queensland titles, but now Northcliffe are truly the best in the business after successfully taking out the World Interclub Championships (Rescue 2008) in Berlin, Germany.

It has been a long time in the making for the reigning Aussie champions, who have at the last two World Championships won the ocean event, but failed to take the overall title.

After an impressive start in the ocean and beach events, Northcliffe were pleased with their performance in the pool, picking up two medals and qualifying for several finals.

Northcliffe Club President David Shields, said the great result really comes down to amazing work of the young people in the club.

"We have a great group of young people who sacrifice everything to be the best at what they do and keep Northcliffe at the top," he said.

"To finally win the overall title after finishing second at the last two World Championships is fantastic and I'm very proud to be a part of such a great club.

"It is thanks to our great sponsors, BMD that we are able to keep doing what we do and achieve such amazing results.

"Everyone in our team really worked hard but I must make a special mention of Shannon Eckstein who has been competing for more than two weeks now with the national team and Northcliffe and who has had nothing short of impressive results.

"Likewise people such as Elizabeth Pluimers, who had a very full program, Zane Holmes, who always steps up as a leader for the team and Courtney Hancock who was on World Championships debut and performed really well.

"Of course our success is large in part thanks to our coach Pat O'Keefe, who's constant will to improve our surf sports record has allowed us to experience our recent success," said Shields.

Northcliffe took out the trophy on ahead of fellow Aussie Club Elouera and Italy.

Elouera true to form excelled in the pool rescue events. There were plenty stand out performances in their relay teams form the Sydney based club, but it was Australian Team representative Andrew Bowden who made a comeback in the 50m Manikin Carry to take gold.

Bowden, who was disappointed not to medal in his pet event when he represented Australia, more than made up for it yesterday when he powered home to take gold convincingly.

On the final day of pool competition the event everyone was talking about was the 50m Medley Relay with an amazing performance from Bulli who blew the competition out of the water to take gold ahead of DLRG Berlin-Lichtenberg and ACSS Colmar.

Today's competition caps off 12 days of racing in both the National Teams, Interclub, Masters and IRB events in Berlin and Warnemünde as part of Rescue 2008.

Held every two years the World Championships, Rescue 2010 will move to Cornwell in the United Kingdom, with many Aussie clubs already committing themselves to the event.

For full results visit http://www.rescue2008.com/Results.38.0.html?&L=1.