Beach double for Cara Langendam at National titles
December 06, 2007
Section: Sport
JOEL RITCHIE
ILLAWARRA and South Coast surf lifesavers played a starring role as NSW won the senior, junior and overall pointscores at the Interstate Championships at Bondi on the weekend.
Holding modest leads in all three categories after day one, the Blues held their mettle despite a spirited performance from Queensland to get the home state home in front of a giant crowd.
Bulli’s Cara Langendam’s sensational form continued when she won the open women’s sprint and flags and helped NSW win the senior beach relay.
The weekend carnival was Langendam’s first appearance in a NSW cap since 2001.
After competing strongly at local carnivals and the NSW Surf Premiership, Langendam won the sprint-flags double for Illawarra at the NSW Interbranch Championships two weeks ago.
Sunday’s performance caps a remarkable return to Australian sand for Langendam – she lived in Italy for two years following the 2004 World Championships and only returned to competitive racing in Australia this season.
“I’m really pleased with where I am at the moment, although I still have some things I need to work on, particularly in the Flags,” said Langendam.
“The atmosphere in the NSW team has been great; people like (team captains) Naomi Flood and Chris Allum really get into the team spirit and help create a good camaraderie amongst the whole team.”
Langendam now has her sights set on the NSW and Australian Championships in 2008, was ecstatic with her performances throughout the week.
She also went undefeated through the International Youth Rescue Challenge for the Australian under 23 team earlier in the week.
In the under 19s, Warilla-Barrack Point’s Hayden White teamed with Collary’s Kendrick Louis win the ironman teams and board team events.
Helensburgh-Stanwell Park’s Damien Cook replicated Langendam’s efforts, winning the sprint-flags double and forming part of the victorious NSW senior relay team.
Taylah Davies of Thirroul was also sensational in her first NSW event, winning four events from as many starts. Taylah’s run included wins in the under 13 sprint, flags, junior beach relay and Cameron Relay.