Australia Produces Huge Comeback Win Japan

The Australian Life Saving Team has produced one of the most remarkable comeback performances in the sport’s history to win the annual Sanyo-Bussan Cup in Japan.

The Pathways squad, comprising of some of the most promising Surf Lifesaving athletes in the country and selected with a strategic eye on the future, turned around a Day 1 deficit to convincingly defend the title.

“It was a massive result and quite unbelievable really,” Head Coach Craig Holden said.

“The competition was incredibly strong. Some nations sent their best Open squad but these young men and women stood up to them and made a name for themselves.”

Northcliffe’s Nic Green and Manly’s Naomi Scott were among the day 1 standouts for Australia, with Green winning the single ski and Ocean Man events. It was a carnival to remember for Scott, missing the podium just once in 12 races.

Despite that, Australia trailed New Zealand by a sizeable 11 points at the halfway stage.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the turnaround. 11 points is a lot to give away but we knew they had it in them and the belief in the athletes themselves was really telling,” Holden said.

A team meeting to launch day 2 would set the scene for one of the most memorable days in Australia’s Surf Lifesaving history on the international stage.

The first four events of the day were all won by Australia, with Currumbin’s Tim Delahunty winning the beach sprint, dethroning the current Open world champion from South Africa in the process.

Cronulla’s Ngaire Hadfield took out the beach sprint and flags double, while both the men’s and women’s teams enjoyed sizeable wins in the relays.

Redhead’s Dan Collins won the Surf Race as Australia turned an 11 point deficit into an emphatic 16 point overall victory.

“It’s a credit to the athletes themselves. They set themselves a challenge and they delivered on it. They made a commitment to race the perfect race and every one of them stood up as other teams crumbled,” Holden said.

“Bear in mind this team is all aged between 16 and 19 which makes it even more special. The level of competition was very strong and the majority of the people they were racing against were legitimate Open competitors. It’s a very proud moment for Australian Lifesaving.”

This post was originally published here: Australia Produces Huge Comeback Win Japan