How it all begins – A junior in our Florida club

Before discussing the New Zealand swimming results in day three of the Commonwealth Games, it is relevant to reflect on the significance of Lewis Clareburt’s success. Clearly and rightly his bronze medal swim is going to be a huge boost to the swimmer personally.

But the wider implications are going to depend on how and who gets to use Clareburt’s achievement. Remember Lauren Boyle. Even though her career was built in the United States, for years Swimming New Zealand propped up its state-funded, extravagant lifestyle and centralised training policy on her world class career.

Similar factors will be in play with Lewis Clareburt. He is the product of his own hard work and a good club program in Wellington. He probably only sees Antares Place twice a year to compete in the National Championships. But if the Swimming New Zealand’s masters of manipulation are allowed to spin his career in the way they did with Lauren Boyle the wider message of Clareburt’s swim will be entirely negative. Clareburt, his coach and his family have a huge responsibility to ensure his career is not hi-jacked by some pretty clever and desperate schemers keen to continue the life-style to which they have become accustomed. Clareburt should not be a Swimming New Zealand ticket to a bigger SUV or inflated pay packet. But that’s the danger.

Good swimmers should remember, Swimming New Zealand needs them more than they need Swimming New Zealand.

I recall discussing this issue with Duncan Laing when Danyon Loader was swimming well. Duncan kept Loader well grounded in Dunedin. There was never any question of Swimming New Zealand exploitation. At the time Swimming New Zealand hated their impotence but Duncan’s strength was in the best interests of Danyon and New Zealand swimming. I hope the same applies in this case.

There were six New Zealand swims in the morning heats on day three. One of the swims (16%) was a PB. Four swimmers progressed to the evening semi-finals. Lewis Clareburt qualified for the 200 butterfly final. Bradlee Ashby, did not progress to the 200 butterfly final.

There were five New Zealand swims in the evening session. One of these swims (20%) was a PB.

Lewis Clareburt placed 7th in the 200 butterfly final in a time 0.19 slower than his morning swim.

For day three, combining both sessions, New Zealand swimmers completed 11 swims and recorded 2 PBs (18%). Daniel Hunter qualified for the 100 final in eighth place. His time of 49.11 was a New Zealand open record.

The tables below show each swimmer’s personal best time and the time swum in the Games.

Bradlee Ashby

Lewis Clareburt

Helena Gasson

Daniel Hunter

Matthew Stanley

Samuel Perry

New Zealand’s performance in the first three days of competition is summarized in the table below. The table also compares where New Zealand is at compared to the Swimwatch predictions made prior to the Games.