The 2026 New Zealand Short Course Swimming Championships opened on September 27 at the Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre in Christchurch, featuring an immediate surge of age-group records during the opening finals session. Coast Swimming Club’s Milan Glintmeyer set the pace by breaking the national age benchmark for 18-year-olds in the women’s 100-meter backstroke.
Milan Glintmeyer Breaks 18-Year-Old National Benchmark
Milan Glintmeyer clocked a time of 57.35 to capture the women’s 100m backstroke title and establish a new New Zealand age record for 18-year-olds. Her split breakdown registered at 13.49, 14.39, 14.56, and 14.91. She led a field of three competitors who dipped beneath the 1-minute threshold during the race.
Amber George secured the silver medal with a time of 58.26, while Savannah-Eve Martin claimed the bronze by touching the wall in 58.40. Glintmeyer returned later in the session to secure a second gold medal, posting a personal best and another 18-year-old age record of 1:01.02 in the women’s 100-meter individual medley with splits of 12.63, 14.69, 18.99, and 14.71.
Zyleika Pratt-Smith finished as the runner-up in the 100m IM with a mark of 1:01.80, and Alyssa Lawson rounded out the podium in third place with a time of 1:02.59.
William Tye Sets Standard in Men’s 1500m Freestyle
In the men’s competition, 15-year-old William Tye captured a national age record on his way to winning the 1500-meter freestyle event. Tye posted a winning time of 15:26.42 to outpace the rest of the field during the opening day of the five-day meet, which runs through October 1 at the Christchurch venue.
Championship Schedule and Event Details
- Dates: September 27 – October 1, 2026
- Location: Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Pool Configuration: Short Course Meters (25m)