NT Relay Teams Swim for Gold at Arafura Games 2009

Tue, May 12 2009

Four young girls and four young boys have made Arafura Games history in Darwin tonight and in the effort won gold for Australia.

Stevie Nibbs, Lili Burrow, Rachel Zaborskis and Elyshia Sheldon shaved 10 seconds off the race record set in 2007 for the 4x100 Medley Relay to finish in 4:50.50.

Backstroker Nibbs turned over to Burrow who took the lead in the breaststroke leg. Zaborskis increased the lead in the butterfly but it was Sheldon who brought it home in the freestyle leg finishing at least 20 metres ahead of her nearest rival.

The silver medal went to News Zealand’s North Shore team with 4:51.43 and the bronze went to the Western Australia’s Darling Range team with 4:51.64.

The girls set a pretty high standard before the boys took to the blocks. Robert Gerlach lead it out in the backstroke breaking two local records before touching the wall. He established a good lead despite the best efforts of the New Caledonian and PNG swimmers.

Joash Barnes held onto the lead in the breaststroke leg and his brother Tobias Barnes maintained the short lead in the butterfly. It was a mighty effort by freestyler Jacob Netherway to hold the rivals at bay and touching in a flurry of white water with only a two second lead.

Final times were Northern Territory 4:17.87, New Caledonia 4:19.29 and PNG 4:22.63.

Wednesday morning is the start of the 5km and 10km open water events Lake Bennett.

For more information go to www.arafuragames.nt.gov.au.

Gail Liston (08) 8920 5536 or 0407 207 335.