Friday was rainy; Saturday was windy; Sunday was … choose your superlative. Admittedly, it was rather chilly for the spectators who woke up to the coldest morning of the year yet – but not for swimmers immersed in water considerably warmer than the air above. Rarely have so many emerged from the lake emitting such an effusion of satisfaction.
The largest field since 2018 gathered by Sri Chinmoy’s statue at Yarralumla Swimming Beach for one of 3 distances – 5km (4 laps of a 1.25km loop), 2.5km (2 laps) or the 500m ‘sprint’ race.
The 5km race saw a masterclass presented by Chloe Brodrick, who led virtually from the start to break a 10-year-old course record, winning the race outright in a scintillating 1:06:24. Chloe was 20 minutes clear of 2nd placed Rachel Russell with 1:26:41, ahead of Mallory Dobner’s 1:33:24. Janelle Ahern took out the F50-59s with 1:38:33; and Susan Henderson won the F60-69 in 2:08:33; while a new course record was set in the F70 and Over category by the amazing Janet Gorst, with 1:52:51.
Chloe Brodrick was shadowed for most of the way by men’s winner, Liam McHugh, whose 1:06:25 may have been eclipsed by Chloe’s swim, but was still 16 minutes ahead of his nearest rivals in Michael Brennan (1:22:56) and Yiannis Eliopoulis (1:24:24). Tom Cannon was impressive in taking out the Male 50-59 category with 1:26:45; while the ever-consistent Mark Wieland continued his domination of the M60-69s with 1:33:29.
The 2.5km swim didn’t boast the superstars of the 5km field, but attracted the largest, most diverse pool of participants. Mitchell Bainbridge was a clear winner, swimming alone for most of the way to cross the finish in 39:07, from Gregory Smart’s 40:08 and Duane Russell with 44:01. Rohan Essex (48:30) barely held off a challenge from Ben Crabb (48:38) to take out the M50-59; while Andrew Dawes continued his winning ways at this race, not far off his own course record with 43:56 to win the M60-69 ahead of Steve Whan (44:15).
In the women’s 2.5km race, Laura Van Den Honert took the main prize with 43:36 ahead of Megan O’Neill with 44:05 and J’aime McGuire’s 44:19. The F50-59 race was another very close finish, with Beth Bowen (46:32) edging Sile Crowe (46:35) in the sprint to the line. The indomitable Anne Smyth is one of the most consistent swimmers in Canberra, again winning the F60-69 with 46:01; while Ann Sullivan claimed a new course record in the F70 and Over with her swim of 1:06:37.
In the 500m race, Aurelie Leanne took line honours in winning the Girls Under 17 with a fine swim of 8:10; ahead of Aron Lombardi, winner of the Male 17 and Over with 8:17; ahead of Julie Hercus (Female 17 and Over winner) with 11:17; and Lisa Winnssinger’s Girls Under 13 victory of 12:36.
