Tonight’s swim started out looking calm, but the wind came up a just before race start, making things a bit more challenging. The outgoing tide provided a stiff challenge on the third leg of the 1500m course.
The lead changed several times, with Hayden Squance the first to round the dolphin. Fergus Drummond took over on the way to the southern mark, to be replaced by Luke Kelly on the slog north of the third leg. At the Boat Shed, Bendi Kepess sneaked into the lead, holding off Luke’s challenge to win by a second, with Fergus a second back, followed by Oxford Bayley, Hayden, Abbey Smale, Terry Bone, Sierra Thomas and Sophie Alexander.
Results, click here
Photos, by Sandra McGregor, click here
Photos, by Tom Young, click here
Points, click here
Story on Sportzhub, click here.
As we enter the new year, there’s the prospect of some longer swims, with the Eyebright Mile, race two of the Clements Endurance Series scheduled for Sunday January 12. There’s a conflict that weekend with the Epic Swims in Lake Taupo, so the race in Nelson will be wide open, as many of our top young swimmers and some of our more experienced older swimmers will be competing there. For the younger swimmers it will be a 5km and a 7.5km swim, while Christina Harris and Terry Bone will take on the Epic Epic – a 10km race, a 5km race and a 2.5km race back to back.
Many swimmers will go to Wellington for the 3.3km Capital Classic on January 26, with our own 2.8km Haulashore Circuit on February 9. Two weeks later (February 22), a large contingent will head for Akaroa for the next Banana Boat Series race, offering a 5km option as well as shorter swims.
Just a week off before the 3.8km Ironman Swim on March 1, then six days later the 3km Interislander Big Tahuna on March 7. As usual, we’ll be called upon for volunteers on both setup day, Friday March 6, and on race day, Saturday March 7. If you can help on either or both of those days, please email petergibbs96@gmail.com.
We also get called on for help in the Weetbix Tryathlon on Sunday March 8, so it’s the biggest weekend of the year for volunteers. If you can’t help on either day for the Big Tahuna, please consider slipping on your wetsuit and helping out with the Weetbix race on the Sunday.