Surf life saving: Ziegler and Buck pass the test

Mairangi Bay will take a 29-point lead into the second day of the Northern Region District Champs, thanks to outstanding performances in the Masters division at Ruakaka yesterday.

After only five finals on the first day, the East Coast club had scored 140 points, 23 by its Masters in just two events. Peter Ziegler (44) led the charge with an outstanding win in the gruelling Masters Run-Swim-Run, while New Zealand representative Michael Buck won both the Open Men's Run-Swim-Run and the Tube Rescue.

Success in the team disciplines was helped by Andy Kent, younger brother of Olympic swimmer Dean, in the tube rescue and Kevin Morrison as board paddler in the board rescue race.

Buck is happy with his standard of competition leading up to his main aim of representing New Zealand at the World Lifesaving Championships in Melbourne next month.

"It's always good to race hard against top competition and get some good results," said Buck. "This gives me good confidence for next month."

Buck's winter of pool training at the Millennium Institute at Auckland has paid off. "The focus on my swimming has really helped with my board and ski disciplines, which has also helped my ironman training as well."

The battle was for second place between Red Beach and Orewa, who finished the first day separated by just four points, with Piha back in top competition in fourth place on 65 points.

Piha's Erin Lawrence and Red Beach's Rachel Clarke stood out in the Open Women's divisions while Red Beach and Piha were the best crews in the boat arena.

Mairangi Bay is not in an unassailable lead with 10 finals in each of the eight age-groups and genders, along with a series of surfboat and canoe races.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY