As the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) continue to see World Records broken each night in front of a packed crowd, the New Zealand team continue to produce strong performances. Day 5 resulted in 3 personal bests for individuals and a New Zealand Record in a relay, as well as one swim in the evening. Helena Gasson continued from where she left off the previous night in the 100m Butterfly heats, by qualifying 15th fastest for the semi-finals (57.51). Gasson has demonstrated the importance of underwater work this week, with her exploits on day 5 no exception. In her semi-final, Gasson had a strong start to be 2nd at the first 25m mark on her way to a faster swim in the evening than the heats (57.23). With a time just outside of her own NZ Record, Gasson completed her championship campaign in 14th overall. Congratulations on your excellent week Helena.\

The boys also continued their rich vein of form in the Men’s 4 x 50m Medley Relay by setting a New Zealand Record (1:34.86). Zac Dell led off in the backstroke leg strongly (24.39 split) and Josh Gilbert had a practice run for his individual 50m Breaststroke with a strong leg to move the boys up into third in the heat at halfway (26.48 split). Cam Gray laid down an impressive butterfly leg (22.56) and Carter Swift finished the job (21.45) to finish 4th in their heat. The boys placed 12th overall.