After the disappointment when race one was cancelled, things didn’t look too promising for race two either, with pouring rain and freezing temperatures at 5.30pm.
Amazingly, at 6pm on the dot, the clouds scudded away and the sun came out, leaving cold air conditions but refreshing water temperature.
A group of about five led the long course out to the first buoy, with Terry Bone leading at the turn and holding the advantage around the second mark as the group headed back towards the finish in a line.
The going was harder against the tide, and as the group passed the Boat Shed, Finn Bryant cruised into the lead. Terry said it looked easy, but Finn expected every moment to have his wings clipped. It wasn’t to be – Finn held on to the end, winning his first-ever swim in the series and now holding the yellow jersey going into race two.
Next was Eddie Swain, followed by Bay of Plenty swimmer Mia Pugh, Jasper Sneddon, Marcel Kepess, Lilly Claridge, Max Stanton and Nia Linyard.
Results: click here (Note: results are still being adjusted and some will change)
Photos by Helen Norrish: Click here
Points to date: Here they are.
Story on Sportzhub, by Peter Gibbs, click here.