Featured photo: Wendy Healey leads in a bunch of seven swimmers, who finished within 13 seconds of each other.
It was a perfect swim – conditions couldn’t have been better.
In the long race it was a clean sweep by out-of-towners. Ben Isles and Hayden Squance went stroke for stroke most of the way, but Ben, from Christchurch, pulled away over the final stretch to win by 40 seconds. Terry Bone was third.
Another Christchurch swimmer, triathlete Kiri Atkin was the first woman, finishing fourth overall, two minutes ahead of Marlborough swimmer Jodie Lovell, with Nelson’s Christina Harris, swimming with her broken arm in a fetching pink cast in third place.
It was a more local podium in the short race over 2km, with Ruth Thomas winning from Kerry Mathieson, Michael Crowe and Stefano Parvoli.
Full results, click here
Photos by John van Klink and others – click here
Some wonderful photos by Kay Sneddon, click here
Here’s a story on Sportzhub by Peter Gibbs
There’s an informal, independently-organised group swim of 4.5km between Marahau and Kaiteriteri on Tuesday January 4 with the option of a 1km swim from Breaker Bay to Kaiteriteri. There is no charge for this swim and it’s open to all, but you must register. All boat, kayak paddle board support welcome. Click here for details. Entries were to close at midnight Saturday, but it will be extended to 3pm on Sunday January 2 to allow for excited swimmers to join in.
If you plan to head across early, why not join the Kaiteriteri group for their weekly swim at 6pm Monday from Little Kaiteriteri.