NZ defend title at Surf Lifesaving World Championships

Beach Flags champ Chanel Hickman. Photo / Barbara Newton

New Zealand has retained its Surf Lifesaving World Championship title.

The Kiwi team has beaten Australia by 26 points in France. The team of 12 rewrote the history books as they are now the first New Zealandsurf lifesaving team, and the first nation other than Australia, to win back-to-back world titles.

Chanel Hickman won the beach flags gold medal while the men's taplin team also clinched gold.

Danielle Mckenzie finished second in the ironwoman race with Cory Taylor also taking silver in the men's race.

Olympic swimmer Andy McMillan took out silver in the men's surf race, with teammate Chris Dawson two places back in fourth.

Heading into the final day of competition, the Black Fins were in first place on 608 points, with France in second on 565 points with Australia in third on 559. New Zealand retained their lead with France and Australia swapping positions by the end of the competition.