The open water swimming competition at the SEA Games XXVI/2011 began Thursday, November 17th on Putri Island among the Thousand Islands of Indonesia.

The multi-sport SEA Games (Southeast Asian Games) are held every two year involving participants from the 11 countries of Southeast Asia including Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia, Philippines, and Timor-Leste.

The men and women started together in the 5K championship that kicked the competition in the 29.5°C water and 30°C air temperature with light ocean breezes. Vietnam’s Ba Anh Tu Chau took off from the beginning and was never challenged. Local hope from Indonesia Ricky Angga Wuaya followed with Brandon Boon of Singapore in third.

The athletes, coaches and officials will return to the same course on Saturday to conclude with the 10K championship.

In the team championship conducted under the FINA point system, Indonesia is out in front with 54 points and Vietnam in second.

Results:

1. Ba Anh Tu Chau (Vietnam) 1:07:02
2. Ricky Angga Wijaya (Indonesia) 1:09:58
3. Brandon Boon (Singapore) 1:10:02
4. Arnoczy Kusadewa Pratama (Indonesia) 1:10:27
5. Kenneth Lim (Singapore) 1:11:01
6. Truong Giang Phan (Vietnam) DQ

Photo courtesy of Chris Guesdon.

Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source