Olympic aspirants lead Aussies in stunning Lifesaving Cup opener in Germany

Two of Australia’s Tokyo Olympic swimming aspirants Bradley Woodward and Lani Pallister have switched their talents to pool life saving in Germany and with stunning results.

The pair are able to successfully mix their stillwater swimming events with lifesaving and surf lifesaving carnivals which have a long and distinguished history in the annals of Australian sport with many Olympians combining successful career paths in both fields.

Woodward, the dual Commonwealth Games backstroke silver medallist, has set a new International Life Saving Federation (ILSF) world record in the 200m Obstacles Swim, while competing for the Australian Lifesaving Team on the opening day of the 27^th International German Cup in Warendorf.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 09: (L-R) Silver medalist Bradley Woodward of Australia, gold medalist Mitch Larkin of Australia and bronze medalist Josh Beaver of Australia pose during the medal ceremony for the Men's 200m Backstroke Final on day five of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Optus Aquatic Centre on April 9, 2018 on the Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

COMMONWEALTH GAMES BACKSTROKING SWEEP: Aussie trio (L-R) Brad Woodward (silver), Mitch Larkin (gold) and Josh Beaver (bronze) show medals for the 200m backstroke on the Gold Coast in 2018. Photo Courtesy: Quinn Rooney.

The 21-year-old, who is not new to pool lifesaving, clocked a time of 1:53.16 – taking 0.17secs off the previous mark set by New Zealand’s 2012 London Olympian Steven Kent in 2014 in an event which requires competitors to use their underwater skills while diving under netting.

The boy from Mingara on the NSW Central Coast, who represents Shelly Beach SLSC, recently broke through for his maiden victory in the 200m backstroke at the Fina World Cup in Doha and is preparing to do battle with former world champion and dual Olympian Mitch Larkin in the 100m and 200m backstroke in next year’s Australian Olympic Swim Trials in Adelaide.

The Australians dominated the first day of competition, setting not one but two world records on one of the most successful days in the program’s history.

The morning session saw Woodward assert dominance upon his return to Pool Rescue competition leading a rare quinella in the Obstacle event ahead of fellow Shelly Beach club and National teammate Jimmy Koch who won silver.

CURRUMBIN VIKINGS DYNAMIC DUO: Australian Life Saving co-captains Matt Davis and Prue Davies. Photo Courtesy: Hanson Media.

The pair then helped teammates, team co-captain Matt Davis (Currumbin Vikings) who has also set his sights on the 100m freestyle at the Olympic Trials and Jake Smith (Trigg Island WA) to break the World Record in the 4x50m Obstacle Swim, clocking a time of 1:35.86, finishing over five seconds clear of Italy and New Zealand and taking 0.76secs off the 2017 world mark held by Japan.

Pallister, from Alexandra Headland, has continued her stellar break-through year in stillwater, pool rescue and surf in 2019, stepping up from the Australian Youth Life Saving team to make her senior team debut and in fine style.

The multi-talented teen, who won four gold and a silver and bronze to be named Female Swimmer of the Meet at the Fina World Junior Swimming Championships in Budapest earlier in the year kept pace with Australian co-captain and world record holder Prue Davies (Currumbin Vikings) throughout day one.

The pair were only separated by one one-hundredth of a second in the 200m Obstacles Swim and couldn’t be split in the 50m Manikin Carry with a dead-heat for second place.

TALENTED TEEN: Lani Pallister. Photo Courtesy: Harvie Allison

Pallister has her sights on the 400, 800 and 1500m freestyle at the Olympic Trials in what will be three of the most competitive events in the women’s program alongside Ariarne Titmus, Maddie Gough and Kiah Melverton – with only two spots available in each event.

The 19-year-old Sunshine Coast High School graduate is currently ranked third Australian in the 400m freestyle (10^th in the world); fourth Australian over 800m (12^th in the world) and third Aussie in the 1500m (11^th in the world).

Meanwhile Koch, who is also an emerging 400m talent in the pool, and an outstanding open water, surf race and belt swimmer was another debutant who shone on the international stage adding individual gold in the 100m Manikin Tow to his Obstacles Silver in another 1-2 finish to the Aussies, with Smith jagging the silver.

All-in-all the Aussies who claimed 10 gold medals in total from a possible 13 events with Davis and his fellow Currumbin Beach Viking and co-captain Prue Davies re-producing the kind of form that saw them lead the ALT to World Championship glory over New Zealand in last year’s World

Davis took out the 50m Manikin Carry while producing some exceptional relay splits, as Davies picked up individual gold medals in the 200m Obstacles and the 100m Manikin Tow. Davies joined female teammates Rachel Eddy, Chelsea Gillett, Mariah Jones and Pallister to pick up another two relay gold medals on day one.

Head Coach Kurt Wilson said the dominance across all events from the first race of the day is very promising for the team.

“The athletic firepower we now have across all male and female individual events is very exciting and this was showcased today from the first race,” Wilson said.

“The men claiming a clean sweep of the individual golds on offer, highlights the depth we are building in the program and combining for another three golds and a world record in the relays shines the light on the high level our men are performing at.”

Wilson also said that the performances from the female Aussie athletes are setting an incredible standard in international lifesaving.

“The girls continue to impress on the international stage and having multiple podium finishes in all the events shows our women are setting the benchmark for international lifesaving at present,” he said.

“The dominant relay performances puts us in a great position for success over the remainder of the German Cup and heading into next week where we will travel to the Orange Cup in The Netherlands.

“The vibe amongst the team today was infectious and has set the tone for another action packed day of competition tomorrow, with several podiums and possible world records in sight.”

The Australians will be looking to continue their form on day two and finish it off with the Orange Cup in Eindhoven, Netherlands on 30 November & 1 December.

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