Lifesaving: Bronze for Toomey at world champs

Christchurch swimmer Julia Toomey won New Zealand's first medal at the world lifesaving championships in Melbourne last night when she snared bronze in the 100m rescue medley.

Toomey's time of one minute 19.11 seconds at the Kardinia Aquatic Centre in Geelong was a personal best.

"I was absolutely over the moon," Toomey said.

"My time yesterday morning was a PB, so to go faster last night and come away with the bronze was just fantastic.

"I'm so happy with how I raced although it did hurt a whole lot at the time."

After a disappointing opening day in the pool events, seven New Zealanders reached A finals last night.

New Zealand surf ironman champion Glenn Anderson had an outstanding swim in the 100m Manikin Carry, finishing fourth.

Double Olympian Steven Ferguson produced a solid swim to be sixth in the 100m rescue medley.

The beach competition was to start today with New Zealand sitting in seventh place in the overall team competition.

"Our strength is in the surf so if the team performs to expectations over the next two days, I am confident we will come away with a top three placing," said Surf Life Saving New Zealand chief executive Geoff Barry.

New Zealand won the world title in 1998 and were second in 2002 and 2004.

- NZPA