Two outstanding individual performances have pushed NSW to victory at the Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships after four tightly contested days of competition at the Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra.

NSW just edged out Queensland on the final day of competition after Felysia Konakoff, 23, of Illawong, NSW recorded the fastest ever time by a female in Australia in the 100m manikin carry.

Teammate Andrew Bowden, 24, of Marrickville who trains with the Hills Team, broke his second Australian Record of the meet, shattering the record for the 100m manikin carry. (see image)

Both are now almost certain for selection for the Australian team for the Commonwealth Pool Lifesaving Championships. Their results helped make the championships a clean sweep for NSW. NSW are now the Champions in both the male and female categories.

Royal Life Saving’s Sport Development Officer, Penny Hodgers said the standard of competition had been outstanding across the board with some very strong results from competitors from all States.

“It’s great to see such fantastic athletes emerging for the sport across Australia. The Queensland team put in an extraordinary effort and were beaten by NSW in the end by just 89 points, which across four days of competition is a very close result, Ms Hodgers said.

“The South Australian team also performed very strongly across the event, winning the Laederal CPR challenge.

“It puts Australia in a very strong position for the Commonwealth Pool Lifesaving Championships in Canada in June 2009.

FAQs about the event are available at www.royallifesaving.com.au