Naomi Crowder, of England, at Moana Pool. Photo by Jane
Dawber.
They have returned. Naomi Crowder (England) and Shirley
McFarland (Australia) have given the thumbs-up to the New
Zealand Masters Games.
They have both returned to the Dunedin Masters Games for the
third time.
Crowder has also been to the New Zealand Masters Games in
Wanganui twice.
Crowder (74), a retired science technician from Sheffield,
also competed in the World Masters Games at Sydney.
"It was a shambles," she said. "The Dunedin Games is far
better run than Sydney."
She praised games manager Aaron Joy for the relaxed approach
he adopts to the Dunedin Games.
"I like the friendly atmosphere," Crowder said. "You meet a
lot of people doing different sports."
She has had a busy time in Dunedin competing in swimming, the
walks and tennis.
She has already won a gold medal in the 5km walk in the aged
70 to 74 grade and five swimming medals.
Crowder, who was a talented swimmer in her youth and
represented the city of Sheffield, won gold medals in the
100m (2min 26.86sec) and 200m (5min 19.35sec) backstroke and
two silver medals and a bronze medal in the freestyle races.
More medals are expected when she competes in tennis and the
open water swim at the weekend.
She has always been an adventurer and enjoys skiing in
foreign lands and made a parachute jump for the first time,
to celebrate her 50th birthday.
Her big challenge at the Masters Games is the open water swim
this morning.
"I admit I'm a bit apprehensive about the cold," she said.
"But I will be wearing a wetsuit."
Shirley McFarland (75) was a talented swimmer in her youth
and returned to the pool in style this week, to win five gold
medals in the women's aged 75 to 79 class.
The medals came in the 100m (2min 33.82sec) and 400m (10min
59.50sec) freestyle, and 50m (1min 17.36sec), 100m (2min
51.40sec) and 200m (6min 14.20sec) butterfly.
She set new Victorian State records in the 100m and 200m
butterfly.
She will travel home to Australia on Monday with nine gold
medals.
The other four were won in indoor rowing.
"I wanted to compete in weightlifting, as well, but I have
injured my shoulder and was told to take a rest," she said.
McFarland, a diabetic, relies on exercise and correct diet to
keep healthy.
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