Swimming: Cash is icing on cake for New Zealand swimmers

SYDNEY - New Zealand's participation in the annual Swimming Australia Skins paid off with a band of Athens Olympians cashing in on the precursor to this weekend's FINA World Cup meet at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

Dean Kent, Hannah McLean, Corey Swanepoel and Helen Norfolk were rewarded in their individual events to claim a share of the A$110,000 ($117,000) prize money.

Alison Fitch anchored the mixed 4x50m relay team to third with Kent, McLean and Swanepoel to cap New Zealand's success in the rapid-fire low-key competition.

Kent and McLean were the biggest winners, earning A$1500 for finishing runner-up in the 200m mystery medley and 50m backstroke respectively.

Swanepoel was third (A$800) in the 50m butterfly and Norfolk was fourth (A$250) in the punctuated 400m.

Australian world champion Libby Lenton and South African Olympic relay gold medallist Ryk Neethling scooped the prize pool, collecting A$22,000 between them.

The eight competitors in the medley each swam the four prescribed events in differing order depending on what combination they drew.

While the money was welcome, it was not the primary motivation for the New Zealand team.

New Zealand's elite swimmers were more interested in getting some much-needed race practice before the Commonwealth Games selections trials at Waitakere next month.

- NZPA