Top pool lifesavers head to Germany

Australiaâs top pool lifesavers have been invited to take on some of the worldâs best competitors at the 2009 German Cup, to be held in Warendorf, Germany from 19th to 22nd November 2009.
Organised by the German Life Saving Association (DLRG), the German Cup provides world class athletes with the opportunity to test their skills against some of the sportâs rising stars.
The pointscore system used in this competition is unique in the world of pool lifesaving and incorporates winning points based on times swum over a minimum of four events per competitor. In addition to this, relay times are also included in the overall pointscore.
Royal Life Saving Society â Australia Sport Development Officer, Penny Hodgers said the pointscore system re-focused competitors on the need for speed and accuracy across the smorgasbord of events, stating âevery athlete competing at this level develops their pet event where they are truly outstanding. The difference with this competition is it demands they show their athleticism across a range of events.
âYou canât just put in one stunning performance and expect that to carry you home. You have to pull out a top level performance in at least four events.
âThis will be the second time the Australian Team has competed under this pointscore format.
âFresh off the outstanding success the team had at the World Championships and the Commonwealth Championships earlier this year, theyâll be hoping to improve their result from the German Cup in 2007 where they came third.�?
Team members were selected competitively based on their performance in the pool across the year. The team list below provides the participantâs name, home State, their suburb/home club.

Womenâs Team

Jess Brown (WA - Dianella) â Captain

Felysia Konakoff (NSW â Illawong/Port Hacking)

Jane Cooper (NSW â Meadowbank/Hills)

Pamela Hendry (QLD â Clayfield/Sharks)

Stephanie Purcell (NSW â Oatley/Port Hacking)

Menâs Team

Andrew Bowden (NSW â Hurlstone Park/Hills) â Captain

Mitch Parkes (NSW â Sutherland/Port Hacking)

Luke Harper (VIC â Balwyn/Torquay)

Blake McCrindle (NSW â Engadine)

Ben Orford (NSW â Caringbah/Port Hacking)

Manager â Jeannie Baxter-Reid (QLD)

Coach â Rebecca Cohen (WA)

Official â Anni Gardiner (VIC)

Masseuse â Len Murphy (NSW)