Christina and Bailee smash world indoor rowing records | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

Christina Clement and Bailee Stratton broke world records at the New Zealand Indoor Rowing Championships held in Auckland last weekend.

The event, held in Takapuna, was in conjunction with the World Sprint Rowing Championships. This is the first time the duo have entered the national competition, although both St Mary's Diocesan School students have had success in the indoor and outdoor rowing fields.

Last year the girls broke a New Zealand record at the Taranaki Secondary School Indoor Rowing Contest in the 15/16 age group so the pair decided to train and enter in this year's nationals.

This year the duo moved into the 17/18 age group section. Christina entered six events and Bailee entered five. Christina won gold in the 300m individual event, 500m pair, 500m individual, 100m individual and 500m foursome relay.

She won a silver meal in the 500m mixed pair event.

Bailee came home with two gold medals (500m pair and the 500m foursome relay) and three bronze medals in the individual events (500m, 300m and 100m).

The pair broke a world record in the 300m pair event with an impressive time of 1.40.8sec. The previous record was 1.41.7sec.

Before the event the girls knew they had broken the world record time at previous meets, but were unsure if they could do it again as training was hard.

"We were going so fast, we knew we could break it. The race is over so quickly you just have to give it your all," said Bailee.

To add to her success, Christina went on to break the 100m individual world record with an impressive time of 17.8 seconds.

"The race was really intense and very hard, You have to give it your all for such a short time and afterwards you feel so dizzy and your legs wobble, but the fitter you get the easier it becomes," said Christina.

Both girls admit they trained themselves and used their outdoor rowing experience to compete at the indoor nationals.

During the past few weeks both girls trained every day in preparation.

Although there were only 70 competitors, the girls believe the sport is on the rise as public awareness slowly increases and with two world record holders in New Zealand, the sport could take off.

Both girls said they thoroughly enjoy the sport and it helps them remain healthy and fit.

"Out of all of the sports I've done, this is the one I like doing. I have found my place and I am passionate about rowing. It's a great feeling," said Christina.

The girls are now looking forward to the outdoor rowing season which will begin with the Clifton regatta at the end of November. The nationals will be held in February 2007.

In the future Christina hopes to head to Canterbury University, because Christchurch has an excellent rowing programme. Bailee said she will join her friend, but has applied for a Wellington programme first.

Both girls would like to take their sport as far as they are able and intend competing at the nationals next year to retain their titles.

Pictured, Christina Clement and Bailee Stratton broke world records at the New Zealand Indoor Rowing Championships/World Sprint Rowing Championships last weekend.