Bulli’s Sharkey misses victory, State selection

BULLI’S Brittany Sharkey came within metres of an impressive double at the NSW Interbranch Surf Life Saving championships at Umina on the weekend. Sharkey won the open women’s surf race ahead of Central Coast’s Amanda White and finished second in the board behind Manly’s Jo Way. In the open women’s ironwoman, Sharkey and White were neck-and-neck during the ski leg before a frantic final sprint led to the Central Coast captain winning by less than two metres. Sharkey finished the interbranch titles with a gold medal and two seconds but was overlooked for the NSW team in favour of Manly’s Naomi Flood and Jo Way. However, her clubmate Cara Langendam was selected after another great performance on the sand. Langendam won the open women’s sprint and flags to continue her hot form from the Sydney Water and NSW Premierships. “It’s a big confidence boost to come here today and have things go your way like they did,” Langendam said. “I've had good results already this season but to then perform well at the bigger carnivals is great.” Langendam added that despite three years away from the sport, she has returned with renewed vigour and has warmed to a leadership role with her club (Bulli) and the Illawarra branch team. “I really enjoy coaching some of the younger kids so it’s good to get some good results so they look up to you as a good role model,” she said.
Meanwhile, Towradgi’s Bernadette Cardillo completed the sprint-flag double in the under 15 women’s division. North Wollongong’s Shane Barrie finished third in the open men’s surf race. Bulli’s Matt Wardhaugh finished third in the men’s under 19 sprint, while clubmate Oscar Bradley did the same in the under 17 board. Helensburgh-Stanwell Park’s Damien Cook won the under 17s flags and finished third in the sprint. Thirroul’s Ryan O’Grady finished second in the under 15s ironman, won the surf race and snared third place on the board. Wollongong City’s William Edmonds won the under 15 flags while Calum Slade finished second in the under 14 flags and Mackenzie Hyland finished second in the under 13s ironman and board.