On day three at Kiwi nationals in Auckland, Lauren Boyle led the way to a New Zealand 4x200m free relay at world titles with a 1:58.54 qualifier for solo action at Barcelona this summer.

The 25-year-old 800m world short-course from North Shore Swimming, got inside target time with a 1:59.07 in heats. In the final, she had the company of Capital teammates Samantha Lucie-Smith, second in 1:59.53, and Tash Hind, 1:59.88, with another Capital swimmer, Samantha Lee, fourth in 2:02.16.

For Boyle it was world-titles berth No 3 after victories in the 400m and 1500m on the first two days of action. There's more to come before the actions ends on the 22nd. "I really wanted to practice doing something hard every day and asking my body to do something that it is not used to," said Boyle. "In the past I have had some problems backing up my races very well, so I thought if I hit it hard here every day, then it will help me when i get to the world championships. It was a consistent performance but I would have to say tonight’s race was probably the toughest as I think the 1500 took a bit out of me."

Glenn Snyders, also 25 and racing for North Shore, clocked 27.41 in heats and 27.39 in the final of the breaststroke dash for another swim at Barcelona after having won the 100m in just over a minute earlier in the championships.

The Californian-based swimmer said: "I’m happy with that time. The 50 doesn’t matter so much, it’s just a one length sprint and a bit of fun." Next up, the 200m on Thursday. "It’s something I’ll do and see what happens. I haven’t put too much emphasis on the 200m but I’d like to go under the qualifying time."

New Zealand has a great tradition of 200m butterfly swimming but there will no man in the 200m in Barcelona, the national crown won outside target time by Shaun Burnett, North Shore, in 1:58.77.