Swimming: Stars test form at Auckland champs

By DAVE WORSELY

The first day of the Auckland open championships was more like a trial run for the top competitors, who put in some consistent times in essentially age-group races.

Dean Kent made his presence felt in the 17 and over 400m medley final with a 7s win ahead of fellow North Shore swimmers Anthony Van Der Kraay and Michael Jack.

After the breaststroke Van Der Kraay and Jack were within range of Kent, 25, who then burst away to be 10s ahead going into the freestyle.

Kent's win was just 10 minutes after his younger brother Steven, 15, had won his race.

In the women's events, Hannah McLean put in a good time in the 17 and over 100m backstroke.

McLean, who recently won gold at a World Cup event in Seattle, put in a time which will have her happy in her progress to qualify for the Athens Olympics when she races at the Nationals next year.

McLean beat a good field of Elizabeth Coster, Melissa Ingram and Aimee Gordon in 1.02.97s, just off the qualifying time of 1.02.93s, but behind her New Zealand record of 1.02.15s.

The feature event of today's races is the women's 100m backstroke which should have McLean, Coster and Ingram all competing again.

The 400 men's medley will again feature Dean Kent up against Van Der Kraay and Jack, while the 100m men's backstroke final is expected to see a keen race between the two North Shore swimmers Scott Talbot-Cameron and Cameron Gibson.

The meeting continues today with morning heats and open finals from 4pm at the Waitakere City Aquatic Centre.