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Queensland has taken out Surf Life Saving's 2011 Interstate Championships, following a tight battle with defending champions New South Wales on the final day of competition at Queenscliff Beach in Sydney today.

Looking to end New South Wales' dominance of the event, Queensland came into the final day's competition holding a marginal 28 point lead over NSW. By the end of competition, the lead had increased to over 40 points.

The Queensland team, which featured stars Matt Poole, Liz Pluimers and Kristyl Smith, finished the two-day event on 845 points, just clear of NSW on 803.5 points. Western Australia rounded out the top three on 519 points.

The win was a long-time coming for Queensland who have finished second to NSW for the past four years running. Poole was ecstatic to finally stand atop the Interstate Championships podium.

"It's great to be part of a winning team and to finally get one over NSW. They've dominated this event for the past few years so we were really determined to beat them this time."

"I think the key for us was how we performed as a team, everyone was committed and put in 100%. There was a great team atmosphere within the camp and I think that showed in the results."

"There were a few great individual performers for us over the two days, Miranda Bell and Molly Redwood were standouts in the pool, as was Dev Lahey. They laid a really good platform for the team coming into the surf events today," said Poole, who will now turn his preparation to the state and national championships.

Queensland coach Barry Newman, believes a greater focus on the pool rescue events was a key factor in his team's victory, stating "I was really proud of the whole team over the two days. We put a greater focus on the pool events and I think that's where we really improved on last year's performance."

Like Poole, Newman was quick to praise the performance of Maroochydore's Bell, but was also impressed with the younger generation of athletes coming through.

Newman added "I was really pleased with some of our younger competitors, particularly Alexandra Nolan and Kurt Kavanagh in the under 15's and Molly Redwood in the under 17's, I think they're athletes to look out for in the future."

Despite losing their title, New South Wales star Tom Atkinson believes his teammates can still be proud of their performances throughout the event.

"It's disappointing to lose our title, I guess there were just a few small mistakes over the weekend that cost us in the long run. But overall, I think the team should be really proud of themselves â there were some great team and individual performances," said Atkinson, who described the opportunity to represent NSW at his home beach, Queenscliff, as "an awesome opportunity."

In the marquee events, NSW's Kendrick Louis took out the Open Ironman title ahead of Queensland's Mitch Miller, while in the Open Ironwomen Queenslandâs Kristyl Smith defeated fellow Ironwoman Series competitor Amy Nurthen from Terrigal, NSW.

One of the day's most intriguing contests came in the Open Women's Beach Sprint and Beach Flags double, with Queenslandâs Melissa Howard and NSW's Laura Shorter sharing the spoils. Howard won the Beach Flags event, while Shorter came away victorious in the Beach Sprint.

In the previous day's competition at the Sydney Olympic Aquatic Centre, Queensland showed they're equally adept in the pool as they are in the surf, with Australian representatives Miranda Bell, Stephanie Ballantine and Dev Lahey establishing an early lead for the Queenslanders.

Maroochydore's Bell was the star of the pool competition, taking out four individual events including the Open Women's 200 metre super lifesaver and the 100 metre manikin carry with fins. Joining Bell with four victories was team mate Molly Redwood, who dominated the under 17 competition.

21st January 2011 - INTERSTATE CHAMPIONSHIPS SET TO LIGHT UP SYDNEY’S NORTHERN BEACHES

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