Race Photos

In many ways, this yearâ€™s Sri Chinmoy Lake Swims were a fresh experience.

Among other things, the Canberra climate becomes more unpredictable with each successive season â€“ resulting in the third change of venue in as many years. It seems to be like so many much larger regular sporting events, with a different section of Lake Burley Griffin (or in this case, Lake Ginninderra in Canberraâ€™s north) â€œhostingâ€ the event each time. Many swimmers commented that they much preferred the calm and less busy waters of Ginninderra â€“ which is just as well. Who knows when we might need to return to these waters?!

Another new (or at least, rare) experience was the weather: cloudy and cool, unlike the usual hot, sunny days that this race usually supplies. This made little difference to the water temperature, which was warm and pleasant. Almost nobody needed wetsuits. But not until the last swimmers came in, and the course was being packed away, did some rain (much-needed in Canberra) start to fall.

Cory Dimmer easily won the 5km race in a time of 1hr 19mins 45secs. The first woman, Claire Mantle, was close behind on 1:21:57. They were followed by Peter Johnson (1:30:56), the first over-50 male Steve Cole (1:34:20) and the first over-50 female Marita Basham (1:36:03).

In the 2.5km race, the fastest men were Josh Donnelly (36mins 26sec), Tim Booth (44:35) and Steve Whan (44:55). Apologies for previous incorrect listing of top three finishers! Twin brothers Damien and Jordan Kime, foregoing â€œeasyâ€ age-group trophies in the 500-metre race, took up the challenge of the 2.5km swim instead. Damien came fourth, and Jordan came a respectable sixth. The fastest females, meanwhile, were Melanie Wellenberg (37:46), Jessica Hancock (39:16) and Tara Booth (49:34).

The 500-metre â€œsprintâ€ race was won by Sarah Kurthi (11mins 22secs), whose trophy was in the under-17 female category. She was followed by her younger brother Charlie (11:44), the first under-13 male, and the first adult male, Phillip Livingstone (12:48).

Results have been published, and also a photo gallery.

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Race Photos

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Sri Chinmoy Lake Swims Race Report

22 March 2009 - It was a new course for all swimmers. As Yarralumla Bay was closed, the race was moved to the equally scenic climes of the Acton Ferry Terminal, on the other side of Lake Burley Griffin. The weather was splendid, with the water a comfortable 19 degrees Celsius.

It is always risky to make predictions, but we can say with some daring confidence that a star of the future was discovered at this year's Sri Chinmoy Lake Swims. Oliver Bourne, 13, has only been swimming for a year, but won against all ages in the ever-challenging 5km swim in a time of 1:11:38.

Following right behind Oliver in the water was one of the event's experienced champions, Shanyn Sparreboom, fresh from her excellent performance in the Entropic team at last weekend's Sri Chinmoy Multi-Sport Classic. Shanyn was easily the fastest woman, with a time of 1:12:19.

The next finishers were Kiernan McGill, James Gibson and Andrew Seymour. The next females were Emma Fitzgibbon, Brianna McGill and Alexandra Evans (the fastest veteran, comfortably ahead of all her male rivals).

The shorter swims were no less competitive. In the 2.5km swim, Andrew Morgan (38:48) came first of not only the veterans, but all others as well. Keri Bell (41:13) was the first woman home.

The 500m race was another for the younger generation, with U17 swimmer Tom Styman winning in a smooth 9 minutes and 27 seconds. Tristan Carey was hot on his heels, less than 30 seconds behind. The 500m race was a golden one for the Styman family, with Debbie Styman taking the women's trophy in 10:08.

View the event photo album and the full results by category.

Sri Chinmoy Lake Swims 08 Race Report

The Sri Chinmoy Lake Swims are among the oldest established lake swims in the country. Initially offering a 2.5 km and a 5 km option, a 500 m swim was added a few years ago to broaden the appeal of the event to novice swimmers as well as the more experienced.

The 2008 Sri Chinmoy Lake Swims drew a total of 80 swimmers to the shores of Yarralumla Bay. First to enter the water at 8 am were the 5 km warriors, followed 5 minutes later by the largest field of the day in the 2.5 km. A further 5 minutes adrift came the 500 m swimmers.

With a lake temperature of 22.5C, most opted to swim without a wetsuit. While the water appeared benign from the shore, swimmers reported slightly choppier conditions out in the middle of the lake. Certainly at the outset it was warmer in the water than out as a generous cloud cover loitered until half way through the race before making way to a glorious sunny day.

First swimmer in the 5 km was 18-year-old Nathan Kuster, followed one minute later by Sascha Saharov. Though competing in the 50+ category, Jo-Anne Danne led the women ashore from Joanna Kay. Alex Gosman was first home in the men's 50-59 category, just a few minutes ahead of the first 60+ swimmer Cyril Baldock.

11-year old Alec Morris was first male ashore in the 2.5 km swim, though he trailed both Bonnie Frankcom and Georgia Hardy who were first females onto the beach. Tim Booth took out the men's 50-59 category just ahead of Terry Dixon in the men's 60-69, while 78-years-young Bevill Purnell looked fantastic in taking out his category. Jill Pettifer led home the 50+ women's category.

Melanie Dodd meanwhile had taken line honours in the 500 m swim from rising stars Brooke Donnelly (right) and Shane Farrant (left).

Congratulations to all finishers. Full results are now published for all races. A photo album will follow in the next day or so.

We look forward to seeing many of you next month for one of the favourite events of the season: the Sri Chinmoy Multi-Sport Classic in Jindabyne.

11 February 2007

500m Results
O/all	Forename	Surname	Category	Time	Cat Pl
1	Alicia	Williams	F 17 +	0:07:53	1
2	Brooke	Donnelly	F U 17	0:07:54	1
3	Wayne	Miller	M 17 +	0:08:12	1
4	Taylor	Lovelock-Wiggins	M U 17	0:09:03	1
5	Elizabeth	Simpson	F 17 +	0:09:15	2
6	Declan	Vogt	M U 13	0:09:23	1
7	Anthony	Nagle	M 17 +	0:09:28	2
8	Leith	Simpson	F 17 +	0:09:30	3
9	Maddison	Whan	F U 17	0:09:40	2
10	heather	lansdowne	F 17 +	0:09:45	4
11	Ian	Marshman	M 17 +	0:09:46	3
12	Amanda	Kirby	F 17 +	0:09:59	5
13	Ron	Watkins	M 17 +	0:10:24	4
14	Jenni	McIntosh	F 17 +	0:11:07	6
15	Steve	Schwenke	M 17 +	0:11:42	5
16	Catherine	Garvan	F 17 +	0:11:51	7
17	Antony	Mason	M 17 +	0:12:31	6
18	Daniel	Watts	M 17 +	0:13:07	7
19	karen	hayward	F 17 +	0:13:44	8
20	Barbara	Carney	F 17 +	0:13:48	9
	Bonnie	Frankcom	F U 17	DQ	DQ

2.5km Results
O/all	Forename	Surname	Category	Time	Cat Pl
1	John	Persinger	M U 50	0:36:51	1
2	Alana	Forster	F U 50	0:39:46	1
3	Felicity	Middleton	F U 50	0:40:45	2
4	Sarah	Fien	F U 50	0:40:48	3
5	Kiernen	McGill	M U 50	0:40:55	2
6	hayley	gosman	F U 50	0:41:10	4
7	Leah	Liebke	F U 50	0:41:20	5
8	Richie	Lewis	M U 50	0:41:22	3
9	michael	gosman	M U 50	0:41:47	4
10	Steve	Whan	M U 50	0:42:26	5
11	Gavin	Keating	M U 50	0:42:40	6
12	Kate	Lennox	F U 50	0:42:46	6
13	Anne	Smyth	F U 50	0:42:49	7
14	Dean	Cavuoto	M U 50	0:44:44	7
15	Phil	Aungles	M U 50	0:44:47	8
16	Stephen	Colquitt	M U 50	0:45:04	9
17	Jill	Pettifer	F 50 - 59	0:45:05	1
18	Wayne	Crook	M U 50	0:45:15	WS
19	Leisa	Beatty	F U 50	0:45:59	8
20	Brett	Postans	M U 50	0:46:50	10
21	ian	ingram	M 60 - 69	0:47:21	1
22	Alison	Hale	F U 50	0:47:28	9
23	Tara	Booth	F U 50	0:47:35	10
24	Janelle	Ahern	F U 50	0:47:55	11
25	oneeka	robb	F U 50	0:48:51	12
26	Brigit	Maguire	F U 50	0:49:40	13
27	Rachel	Dickinson	F U 50	0:49:54	14
28	Luke	Yeaman	M U 50	0:50:51	WS
29	Shelley	Dorey	F U 50	0:51:35	15
30	Matthew	Lamb	M U 50	0:51:58	11
31	Penny	Lovibond	F 50 - 59	0:52:24	2
32	Lisa	Smith	F U 50	0:52:44	16
33	Belinda	Brandon	F U 50	0:52:59	17
34	Allison	Campbell	F U 50	0:53:27	18
35	Julie	Foster	F U 50	0:55:46	10
36	Alex	Foulds	M U 50	0:57:44	12
37	Debra	Shand	F 50 - 59	0:58:06	3
38	Alan	Gregory	M 50 - 59	0:59:38	1
39	Liz	Taggart	F U 50	1:02:00	20
40	Annemarie	Calman	F 50 - 59	1:03:46	4
41	clare	wall	F 50 - 59	1:05:07	5
42	Sue	Rymer	F U 50	1:06:02	21
43	Bevil	Purnell	M 70+	1:07:45	1
44	Tanya	Colyer	F U 50	1:09:48	22
45	Kira	Broadhead	F U 50	1:12:13	23
46	Neil	Bradbury	M U 50	1:12:52	13
47	Alice	Tindall	F U 50	1:13:13	24
48	Chris	Jenkins	M 50 - 59	1:14:02	2
49	Trina	Burrell	F U 50	1:17:44	25
50	Judy	Cotterell	F 50 - 59	1:18:25	6
51	Lachlan	Lewis	M 60 - 69	2:08:08	2

5 km Results
O/all	Forename	Surname	Category	Time	Cat Pl
1	Shanyn	Sparreboom	F U 50	1:14:52	1
2	Emma	Prowse	F U 50	1:16:25	2
3	Belinda	Halloran	F U 50	1:16:48	3
4	Alan	Vogt	M U 50	1:20:10	1
5	Matt	Kellam	M U 50	1:26:53	2
6	alex	gosman	M 50 - 59	1:26:58	1
7	Tom	Shipsides	M U 50	1:29:05	3
8	Steve	Cole	M U 50	1:29:17	4
9	Mitchell	Lovelock-Fay	M U 50	1:30:00	5
10	Matthew	Hayward	M U 50	1:30:06	6
11	Randall	Fitzsimon	M U 50	1:30:53	WS
12	Chris	Southby	M U 50	1:32:54	7
13	Roman	Podrouzek	M U 50	1:32:58	8
14	Jo	Danne	F 50 - 59	1:33:02	1
15	Grant	Prowse	M U 50	1:34:58	9
16	Troy	Watkins	M U 50	1:35:08	10
17	Wendy	Den	F U 50	1:36:20	4
18	Brant	Smith	M U 50	1:36:43	11
19	Rebecca	Lannin	F U 50	1:38:25	5
20	Rodney	Molesworth	M 50 - 59	1:39:36	2
21	kelvin	martin	M U 50	1:42:35	12
22	Gan	Chen	M U 50	1:46:48	13
23	Graham	Monfries	M U 50	1:47:05	14
24	Amy	Rhind	F U 50	1:47:56	6
25	Laura	Marshall	F U 50	1:52:40	7
26	Russell	Wenholz	M 60 - 69	1:53:09	3
27	Robert	Heinsohn	M U 50	1:54:03	15
28	Brenda	Day	F 50 - 59	1:57:26	2
29	Anita	Lindeman	F U 50	2:00:09	8
30	Pauline	English	F 50 - 59	2:02:33	3
31	darryl	constantin	M U 50	2:11:32	16
32	Geoff	Llewellyn	M 70 +	2:27:41	1
WS = Wetsuit

"Inside you is a divine swimmer
Who is all the time
Swimming inside your heart-river
With tremendous inner joy."
-Sri Chinmoy

Sri Chinmoy Lake Swims- 2006 Race Report

Congratulations to all the participants in the 18th Sri Chinmoy Lake Swims event at Yarralumla Bay. We were greeted with a beautiful morning- sunshine and very little wind creating ideal conditions for the swimmers. For the first time ever no one chose to wear a wetsuit in any of the swims. Of course the high lake temperatures may have helped this outcome...

The two standout swims of the day came in the shortest and longest events. Twelve year old Brooke Donnelly won the 500m swim outright, defeating all fellow swimmers (mostly adults) by a minute!

The fastest swim and greatest winning margin ever came from Adam Bingham (left) who covered the 5km in 64.05, an incredible 13minutes 44 seconds ahead of his nearest rival.

There were many other extraordinary performances with a large number of up and coming young stars now taking part in the 2.5km swim who were formerly 500m age group winners.

Once again we were ably assisted by the Canberra Canoe Club (right) who help provide an important safety service for the swimmers.

Finally, thanks to the swimmers for creating a warm and friendly event where swimmers encouraged each other and appreciated the performance of others. We look forward to seeing you all in this event next year.

Full Results>>

Kieren McGill comfortably won the 5 km endurance race in this year's Sri Chinmoy Lake Swims- held in fine weather in Canberra's Lake Burley Griffin. McGill won in an impressive time of 1:09:48.

Less than a minute later, Emma Fitzgibbon and Shanyn Sparreboom swam an exciting race to be the first female. For the last few metres, they swam neck and neck, matching each other stroke for stroke. The race was decided not in the water, but in the final sprint to the finish line. In the end, Fitzgibbon won in 1:10:32, four seconds ahead of Sparreboom. Sacha Saharov was the second male finisher, in a time of 1:16:26.

The 2.5 km race also provided some exciting battles, with winner Nathan Sliwka (39:27) defeating Eanon McGill by just one second. The race was also decided in the finish chute. In third place was Steve Whan (41:27), the NSW State Government's Member for Monaro, and a regular Lake Swims competitor.

Since the first Lake Swims event was held in 1987, they have become popular with swimmers around Australia, many of whom use the races as training for the ever-popular Sri Chinmoy Triathlon Festival. For the past three years, the Lake Swims have benefited from an innovative computer timing system devised by Russell Baker, one of the hard-working volunteers who helps to make the race a success.