Black Fins secure second world surf lifesaving title

The New Zealand Black Fins have been crowned world surf lifesaving champions for the second time.

In competition at Montpellier/La Grande Motte in France at the weekend, the team of 12, led by captain Andrew McMillan, became the first New Zealand surf lifesaving team, and the first nation other than Australia, to win back-to-back world titles.

The Black Fins finished ahead of Australia who came in second with France, the host nation, in third to hold on to the Alan B. Whelpton, AO Trophy.

The team started off their final day of competition on a high, grabbing a medal in the team's first event of the day. Fresh from winning a world championship title in the Women's Board Race yesterday, Mairangi Bay's Danielle McKenzie stepped in to claim another silver for the team in the Women's Ski Race.

Omanu's Max Beattie then also took silver in the Men's Board Race with Midway's Cory Taylor not too far behind in sixth.

It was then McMillan's turn to add another medal to the tally with the St Clair SLSC member taking silver in the Men's Surf Race.

Australian Beach Flags Champion Chanel Hickman (Mairangi Bay) then took gold in the Women's Beach Flags, her first medal for the competition. Teammate Paul Cracroft-Wilson followed up with a medal winning performance, taking silver in the Men's Beach Flags.

Not content with just one silver for the day, McKenzie took another silver in the Ironwoman with Midway's Cory Taylor also taking silver in the Iron Man.

The Women's Ocean Relay team of Natalie Peat (Papamoa), Natasha Hind (Lyall Bay), McKenzie and Hickman then claimed the day's only bronze medal.

In true world champion style, the team finished off the day as they started- on a high note, winning gold in the Men's Taplin Team of Taylor, Cracroft-Wilson, Beattie and Midway's Chris Dawson.

Heading into the final day of competition at Rescue 2014, the Black Fins were in first place on 608 points, with France in second on 565 points with Australia in third on 559. New Zealand retained their lead with France and Australia swapping positions by the end of the competition.

Following the win, a jubilant New Zealand Team Manager Mark Weatherall stated "I'm so very proud of the team and the determination to get this win- to create history for New Zealand is an amazing feeling.”

Surf Life Saving New Zealand Chairman Geoff Hamilton thanked the management team of coaches Scott Bartlett and Jason Pocock, managers Weatherall and Steve Vaughan, physiotherapist Susan Perrit and Doctor Caroline Stuart for their amazing work with the NZ Black Fins.

Hamilton stated "we look forward re-writing the record books on this outstanding performance and to welcoming them all home in due course as World Champions."

The New Zealand Youth Team also had a successful day in the pool on their final day of competition, picking up another two medals to add to a successful campaign.

Overall, the New Zealand Youth Team finished in second place behind Australia and ahead of Germany.

Click here to visit the Surf Life Saving New Zealand Facebook page for results, updates and photos from throughout the competition.

23rd March 2012 - NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR SURF LIFE SAVING NEW ZEALAND