The Queensland-based New Zealand swimmer Cara Baker has completed the double at the National Open Water championship on Lake Taupo, adding the 5km title to the 10km race she won yesterday.
The 19-year-old former Manawatu swimmer pipped Taranaki's Charlotte Webby in a photo-finish to take the women's honours in flat conditions.
Auckland's Philip Rush successfully defended his 5km title in the men's competition, holding off a fast finish from former champion Kane Radford of Rotorua.
Baker, based in Queensland under world renowned coach Denis Cotterell, is keeping her options open, and will also return to New Zealand for the Commonwealth Games swim trials in April.
She plans to compete in next month's Australian open water championship in Victoria, which is the New Zealand trial for selection to the world championships and Pan Pacific Games.
However Baker is still hopeful of qualifying for the Commonwealth Games over 800m in the pool after an appendix operation cost her any chance of Olympic selection last year.
