Success is hard to come by in pool

Liam Napier

on the Gold Coast Success on the world stage has been hard to come by for New Zealand swimming in recent times, and it may not be any easier on the Gold Coast with complications posed by the outdoor pool.

For a long time, three-time Olympian Lauren Boyle and Paralympic champion Sophie Pascoe, New Zealand’s flag bearer at the Commonwealth Games, were the shining lights.

In her career Boyle claimed four Commonwealth medals, including gold in the 400m freestyle in Glasgow. Combined, Boyle and Pascoe captured three golds and one silver medal at those Games, while others in New Zealand’s team of 12 failed to make the podium.

Boyle’s retirement due to on-going hip issues last year now leaves the mantle for someone else to assume.

Other than Pascoe, there is hope Corey Main will accept that responsibility from the team of 17 which includes five para-athletes.

Florida-based Main just graduated with a business and management degree, and the 23-year-old may be coming of age in the pool, too.

Main grew up attempting to emu- late Danyon Loader, New Zealand’s double Olympic champion, but had to tweak his plans.

“In age group swimming, I was more of a 200m freestyle competitor and I wanted to aspire to be like that but I found a talent in backstroke and I’ve never looked back.” Main arrives in good form. Two personal bests at last year’s world championships in Budapest, where he made his first final at a major event in the 100m backstroke, suggests as much. And it’s that event he could claim his maiden medal in his second Games. He also lines up in the 200m backstroke.