11 Dec 2008

Australian swimmer shines at start of Summer Nationals

11:16 am on 11 December 2008

Australian world record-holder Marieke Guehrer showed her class on the opening morning of the New Zealand summer championships in Christchurch.

Guehrer, who won the overall honours at the recent FINA World Cup circuit, topped qualifiers for the 50m butterfly and 100m freestyle while New Zealander Mellisa Ingram cruised through the heats of the 200m backstroke.

Veteran Dean Kent, who retired from international competition after Beijing, has returned, qualifying second fastest behind West Auckland Olympian Daniel Bell in heats of the 100m individual medley.

Beijing star Moss Burmester eased back into competition in the 200m butterfly, qualifying third fastest behind North Shore clubmates Andrew McMillan and Shaun Burnett.