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The start of something extraordinary

Paterson, Gichard, Coetzee lead way for finals

New Zealand swimmers will be chasing more medals on the penultimate night of finals at the Youth Commonwealth Games in Samoa today.

New Zealand swimmers will contest a further six finals tonight, keen to build on the seven individual medals won so far in the four-day meet.

Leading the way was Auckland’s Annabelle Paterson who was fastest qualifier in the 200m backstroke. The 17 year old from the United club clocked 2:15.62, only 27/100ths of a second off her previous best, in the heats.

Also through in the same event is 15 year old Bobbi Gichard, the 100m backstroke gold medallist and 50m backstroke silver medallist. She locked 2:17.78 to cruise through to the finals.

North Shore’s Wilrich Coetzee will contest two finals tonight. He was second fastest in heats of the 100m butterfly in 55.72, only fractionally outside his best, and then was sixth fastest qualifier in the 200m backstroke in 2:10.02.

Howick Pakuranga’s Mario Koenigsperger was fourth fastest in heats of the 50m breaststroke in 29.96 to progress to the final along with Yeonsu Lee who seventh fastest in the 100m butterfly in 1:03.35.

New Zealand will contest finals of both men’s and women’s 4x100m freestyle relays.