Lifesavers to drive Aussie bid in Germany

GOLD Coast lifesavers will spearhead Australia’s campaign at the German Cup this weekend as they hone their preparations for the Life Saving World Championships in Adelaide.

Currumbin Viking trio Prue Davies, Matt Davis and Chelsea Gillett and Tweed Heads and Coolangatta’s Mariah Jones will be joined by Maroochydore’s Sam Bell and Jake Smith, from West Australian club Trigg Island to compete in Germany.

The Australian lifesaving team took home all major individual and team pointscore awards at the German Cup last year and will compete in a shortened version this weekend ahead of the world titles in Adelaide in November.

Australia finished second to New Zealand at the titles in the Netherlands in 2016, with the Kiwis picking up valuable points in the pool lifesaving competition ahead of the surf component.

World record-holders Davis and Davies will lead the six-strong team to Warendorf looking to build on a strong domestic pool rescue season.

Davis was untouchable at the recent Australian titles in Adelaide, picking up nine gold medals from his nine individual and team events. Currumbin teammate Davies was just as impressive, breaking two Australian records.

Fellow Viking Gillett won three individual gold medals and added another Australian record to her resume while Jones won five medals.