Alex Kostich, a nominee for the 2008 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year, won the St. Croix Coral Reef Swim Race again.

11th times over the past 12 years – a remarkable streak for the American masters swimmer.

Outside of Petar Stoychev’s ongoing 10-year lock over the professional FINA Open Water Swiming Grand Prix circuit, Alex’s track record in St. Croix may be the longest, most dominant track record of success of any open water swimmer anywere in the world.

“From Los Angeles, it’s a long way to fly, but I love it too much,” Alex explained to the Virgin Islands Daily News about the 5-mile classic, one of the World’s Top 100 Open Water Swims. “The actual race, the people here, the warm water … it’s the same reasons I come back every year. It helps me get up early in the morning. Because at the end of the day, I know all roads lead to St. Croix..”

This year, Alex, a three-time Waikiki Roughwater Swim winner and six-time La Jolla Rough Water Swim victor, won again in 1 hour and 46 minutes over Bryson Mays (1:58.20), Jimmy Welborn (2:01:26) and local Michael Rogers (2:03:00).

Meredith Jones won the women’s division in 2:15:11 in a close battle over Mary West (2:15:21) with local Michael-Anne Myrvang third (2:16:32).

In the 2-mile race, Colin O’Brady and St. Croix native Kieran Locke — who were roommates at Yale University — tied for first place in 52 minutes and 47 seconds.

Photo of Alex Kostich by Ben Twingley.

Copyright © 2010 by Open Water Source