17 Nov 2008

Ingram third highest medal winner in swimming world cup

9:05 am on 17 November 2008

The New Zealand swimmer Melissa Ingram has finished with the third highest medal haul in the FINA World Cup series.

The Beijing Olympian picked up her last medal in finishing third in the 400 metres freestyle at the final meet in Berlin.

This brings her haul to 16 during six World Cup meets, including nine wins and six seconds.

South Africa's Katheryn Meaklim and Australia's Marieke Guehrer on the women's overall points honours and the US$100,000 prize with Ingram sixth overall in the points series,

She set new national records in the 200 backstroke and 200 and 400 freestyle during the series and picked up $US1500 for each win.

Coach Jan Cameron says the 23-year-old North Shore swimmer has gained invaluable experience of the pressure of weekly international competition, something New Zealand swimmers are just not able to get.