One of the nicest nights for a while, even though the low tide brought the usual stumbles getting in and out.
Otago student Josef Scott set a cracking pace from the start and led over the opening leg of about 400m.
After a right turn, it was a 200m leg to the ‘dolphin’ navigation marker and the combination of wind and tide tended to push swimmers to the left.
Hayden Squance kept a straight line and arrived at the dolphin with a slight lead over Josef and Terry Bone.
After another 400m, that’s the way they finished, with Gus Marfell, Ben Marshall, Canterbury triathlete Tom Somerville, Eddie Swain, Conner Kemp, Lilly Claridge and Keshia Linyard rounding out the top ten.
Sophie Pahl, Nia Linyard and Neve McKenzie finished in a pile for the next women’s spots.
Liliana Perrett, Grace Van Orden and Billie Maskell headed the short race ahead of Matenga Marsden.
Story on Sportzhub, by Peter Gibbs
Don’t forget the Tata Beach swim, Sunday, January 7. Details and entry.