Natalie Sparks has shared a lane with an unlikely companion at the recent South Eastern Swimming Association Championships.
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Racing in Corrimal's outdoor pool, Sparks found her path to the finish wall obstructed by a drake.
Unaware of the fierce racing going on around it, the bird was enjoying a wade in the pool's warm water before the 17-year-old approached.
Sparks was focused on her charge for gold in the 50 metre breaststroke race, the teenager not seeing the crane until a collision seemed imminent.
"It frightened the living daylights out of me," Sparks said. "And what's more I lost a valuable second or two off my time.
"I saw the bird when I was standing on the blocks and thought it would take off with the starter's hooter. However, I was only less than a metre away and it was still there. When I came up from my glide, ready to take another stroke, the bird flew off.
"Certainly some things you will always remember".
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Cameron Mee
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
