MIRANDA BELL'S WORLD RECORD IN POOL CHAMPIONSHIPS

SURF SPORTS, August 14: Maroochydore SLSC member, Miranda Bell, today set a World Record in the 17-18 Super Lifesaver event at Surf Life Saving Australia's Pool Rescue Championships at the Australian Institute of Sport.

"I'm pumped about the World Record," she said. "It was a bit unexpected to be honest. I haven't trained for 3 weeks as they thought I had glandular fever so this is fantastic."

Bell is at te event trying for a place in the Australian Open Pool Rescue Team. The team comprises five male and five female athletes who will travel to Warendorf in Germany to compete in the German Cup this November. The German Cup is the biggest life saving event in Europe and the only event an Australian team hasn't won to date.

Dave Thompson, SLSA General Manager Sport said "Miranda's swim was a phenomenal effort. We are currently going through the official channels to have the record recognised.

"This is actually our second World Record of the Championships which is amazing," he continued. "Yesterday we had American born Dori Miller break the 200m obstacle swim record in the 40-44 age group. It definitely makes for very exciting racing."

Miranda's time of 2:27.79 breaks the record of 2:28.59 set in Italy in 2006 by Italian Prelle Elena.

ABOUT THE EVENT: In the Super Lifesaver event the competitor swims 75m freestyle and then dives to recover a submerged manikin. The competitor surfaces the manikin within 5m of the pick-up line and carries it to the turning edge. After touching the wall the competitor releases the manikin. In the water, the competitor dons fins and rescue tube within 5m of the turning edge and swims 50m freestyle. After touching the wall the competitor fixes the rescue tube around a floating manikin within 5m of the turning edge and tows it to touch the finish edge of the pool.