Good conditions for the opening night, with 121 starters taking on the longer swim of about 750m, or the shorter version. Fresh from success in the Bay of Islands, Terry Bone established a slight lead over Hayden Squance on the first leg of the long course. Expecting to be overtaken at any moment, Terry pushed on to a rare victory over Hayden by 15 seconds. They were followed by Eddie Swain and Fraser Hill. Hayden Lockie and Raphael Borborema continued their age group rivalry in M40-49, with Hayden scoring a one second win (see feature photo).
The women’s field is unpredictable at the start of the season. Race one provided a procession of teenagers at the front. In fifth overall was last year’s series winner Lilly Claridge, followed by Sophie Pahl, Keshia Linyard, Izzy Thurlow and Nia Linyard.
Teenagers ruled in the short course, with Liliana Perrett (12) first in, four seconds ahead of Billie Maskell (13), Catherine Taylor (12), Monty Chadderton (12) and Grave Van Orden (14).