New South Wales conquer Interstates Championships

A traditional competitors’ march, followed by the official opening from Jason Falinski MP, Member
for Mackellar and Michael Regan, Mayor, Northern Beaches Council signalled the start of the 2019
Surf Life Saving Australia Interstate Championships, at Newport Beach, NSW.

The key to NSW’s win lay in their calculated approach to the racing. It was their strategic
selection of choosing additional male and female beach athletes and their tactical approach to the
relays that saw them win all eight of the relay events. The clever use of the power plays late in the
day with Sam Zustovich and Blake Drysdale earned them 26 points for the team and this, together
with the stand out performances from Jay Furniss, Jackson Borg and Emily Doyle contributed to
NSW’s 35 point triumph.

The Queenslanders were not to be dismissed fighting hard throughout the day showing strength in                                                     the female events with wins in the Open Female Board, Surf Race and Beach Flags and Youth IronWoman, Ski and
Beach Flags as well as winning three out of the four Taplin Races. Lani Pallister outclassed the field
all day in ideal swim conditions with standout performances from fellow Queenslanders, Cooper Williams,
Adam Palmer, Ruby Nolan, Hannah Sculley and Grace Gurr.

South Australia hit the score board with drafted athlete Britney Pierce claiming gold in the Open
IronWoman race and WA gained their key points with wins in the Open Male and Female Beach
Sprints with Sophie Watts and Jackson Symonds claiming victory in those events.

Leading NSW athlete, Jay Furniss, said it was the camaraderie and sportsmanship within the NSW
team that added to their win.
“We all worked together and aimed to not make it about any of us winning individually – it’s just
about getting points for NSW. Usually you race for the first spot but in this case, we were happy that
we did it for the team and it paid off and we’re stoked with the result,” said Furniss.

For full results from the Interstate Championships 2019 click here