Friends and family screamed with delight as Tasmania won its first swimming medal of the Pacific School Games in Adelaide on Monday.
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St Patrick's College student Mackenzie French, 15, swam a career best time of 18 minutes and 49.11 seconds to claim bronze in the girls' 13-19 years 1500m.
She took an impressive 17 seconds off her previous best time and overcame pre-race nerves and a morning of drama when she discovered that her two race suits were back home in Launceston.
“I was shuddering and shaking before the race,” French said outside the South Australian Aquatic and Leisure Centre.
The long-distance specialist trains with Launceston Aquatic Club, where her father, Kevin, is president. He had a front row view of the swim as he was on pool deck carrying out timing duties.
Frances Shires, of NSW, won the race and Bianca Crisp, of Queensland, was second.
Swimming events at the 10th games feature competitors from every Australian state and territory as well as from Fiji, New Zealand, India, Macau, Pakistan and Singapore.
