30 November is officially the last day of Spring in Australia. As though it needed to prove something, what had been a relatively sedate Spring until now, staged a flamboyant demonstration of what it can be, prior to exiting stage left. From the lake’s mirror surface of the start, to wind capsizing kayaks towards the finish, with a few rain showers tossed in.
It was certainly a day to swim fast (if possible), as the wind really picked up only after the first finisher crossed the line, as though set upon tormenting anyone with a slower pace.
Michael Pranckl always turns up and swims his best, and today that proved to be by far the best of the field, his exceptional swim of 2:39:19 being bettered by only one relay team, and finishing 11 minutes ahead of his nearest rival among the solo swimmers. AND he won the race from the M50-59 category…
2nd placed solo swimmer went even better – Murray Chapman competing in the M60-69, the oldest to ever finish so high in the rankings at this event with his slick 2:51:07. Todd Hayward was runner-up in the M50-59 with 2:52:18, for 3rd place outright.
Louisa Jeffery was 4th outright to win the women’s race in an impressive 2:54:54, sprinting to the line ahead of Tom Palmer, whose 2:54:58 earned him 1st place Male Under 50, ahead of Adam Kloner in 2nd with 2:56:53.
4th placed solo woman was the amazing Nicolee Martin, whose 3:10:56 won her the F60-69 category. The two participants in the F50-59 were remarkably close, with Liz Crowhurst (4:01:29) pipping Kylie Sheffield (4:04:56) to the finish.
2nd Female Under 50 belonged to Miu Tanaka with 2:57:26, the final swimmer under the 3 hour mark. Following Miu in this category were 3rd placed Rachel Russell with 3:08:16, then Ali Payne (3:14:23), Mallory Dobner (3:20:03), Katie Binstock (3:36:19) and Amber Collins (4:12:52).
Sam Hall was 3rd placed in the Male Under 50 solo swimmers with his 3:38:39, ahead of James Carter in 3:42:52 and Corey Sawers (3:58:16).
Tom Cannon took 2nd place in the M60-69 with 3:20:16; while other finishers in the Male 50-59 category were Grant Campbell in 3:53:50, Scott Kistiansen with 3:55:29 and Steven Milch with 4:29:09.
Two women swam the 10km solo with wetsuits: Madison Moore finishing in 3:04:47 and Kate Kristiansen with 3:47:54. Greg Gourley (3:12:52) and Vince Toohey (4:16:29) completed the length of the lake in the M60-69 with wetsuits.
The outright fastest time on the morning came from “Bronte Babes” (Kailin Pople, Lara Dawson, Heidi Astride and Ashleigh Lawson), whose 2:32:20 won the All-Female relay teams by over half an hour. Congrats girls!
Winners in the Mixed Team were “POM Squad” (Matthew Jackman combining with Caitlin Clifford) in 3:04:49; while “Seahorses” (Suzanne Long and Craig Cluderay) took out the main prize in the Mixed Teams All Over 50 with 3:25:21.
“Carp Catchers” (a pairing of Jeremy Chen and Ben Harmer) took out the All-Male team division with 3:27:15.
Admiration and gratitude in particular to all the paddlers today, who being above water, copped the brunt of the wind and waves. And to all who helped in any capacity, even by admiring from afar – your goodwill and service are very much appreciated by all involved.
