Ten Nelson swimmers joined a field of just over 500 for the 2.8km King of the Bays swim between Milford and Takapuna on Auckland’s North Shore, winning six age group medals and with 16-year-old Abbey Smale finishing sixth overall, splintering the women’s field to win the women’s title with a minute back to the second-placed swimmer and another minute back to third.
Conditions weren’t easy, with the swim following the coast and the small swell rising as it hit shallower waters, then bouncing back, making sighting a little difficult. There was some tidal flow in play as well, complicating navigation.
Last year’s overall series winner Sierra Thomas followed Abbey home, placing third in the F16-19 age group, with Christina Harris and Hamish Neill placing first and second in their respective F55-59 and M55-59 age groups.
Stu Hebberd had to bow to the legendary Ian Gunthorp, with Stu taking second in M70-74, while Derek Eaton, serenely calmed the waters for a very comfortable win in M75-79.
For a few Nelson photos, click here
Here’s all the Nelson results, click here
Here’s a story, click here