Conditions couldn’t have been more perfect – just the day for a Blenheim takeover as Chris Smithers was the first swimmer home, with Jodie Lovell in fourth place and her daughter Nicola in fifth taking the first two women’s placings.
Sandwiched in between were Nelson swimmers Terry Bone, second, and Matt Hansen in third, while the third woman, Christina Harris, finished sixth, narrowly ahead of Sophie Pahl, Keshia Linyard, Denis Cooper and Jon Linyard.
Nia Linyard won the short race from the Richardson St steps ahead of Jill Bann.
Looking after the timing were Adrianne Wylde and Janice Coyle.
Results click here
We were blessed with two great photographers, Jan Thompson and Tom Young. The feature photo of Renato Melo, Carolyn Squance and Liam Hegarty is by Jan. The photo below of David Marriott is by Tom.
A great photo of David Marriott giving a banana imitation
Photos click here
Story on Sportzhub by Peter Gibbs
Times this year are slightly slower as the race started 15 minutes after high tide, rather than the customary 30 minutes before, meaning swimmers faced a slight current over the second half of the race.