McKenzie, Taylor dominate

Surf lifesavers Danielle McKenzie and Cory Taylor have emerged triumphant at the national championships in Mount Maunganui.

Taylor hails from the Midway club and won four gold medals in total, including a fourth New Zealand ironman title – an event that includes swimming, board paddling, ski paddling and running – and the run-swim-run on his way to taking out the open men’s division.

McKenzie from Mairangi Bay meanwhile dominated the open women’s division, finishing with nine gold medals – one more than she managed last year – and becoming the first athlete in the 104-year history of the event to win every individual event.

She out-sprinted Omanu’s Devon Halligan to win the board race and also won the ironwoman final, the ski race, the surf race and the run-swim-run, while also winning as part of a team in the double ski, the mixed double ski, the ski relay, and the eventending taplin.

‘‘It’s not so much about the medals – I’m really stoked with the two swim golds because I wouldn’t call myself a swimmer,’’ McKenzie said.

She returned from Australia to compete in the three-day championships.

The Mount Maunganui club’s overall dominance saw them win their seventh consecutive Allan Gardner Trophy, finishing 50 points clear of Mairangi Bay on 147 points.