Difficult Coogee To Bondi Swim Shortened
Greg Whitman, an American living in Australia, reports from the 5K Coogee to Bondi Beach Swim. “The conditions got the better of the 317 entrants. After an hour and fifteen minute delay and a course restructuring, 159 swimmers finally crossed the finish line.Because of the conditions and concerns for safety, the course was shortened to a 3.2K two-loop, protected swim within Coogee Bay. While the addition of a third loop would have brought the distance closer to the original 5K distance, it was the safety of the swimmers that took priority. After consulting with the authorities and lifeguards, the original Coogee to Bondi course was abandoned in the torrid rainfall and strong winds.
Australian two-way English Channel swimmer Chloë McCardel, fresh off her record-setting 60-lap, 48K practice swim in Bondi, presented the awards. The top 5 men and women are below:
1. Bradley Horrey, 33:20
2. Tood Menzel, 34:48
3. Lochie Hinds, 35:45
4. Don Boland, 35:47
5. Iain Melhuish, 36:19
1. Luane Rowe, 35:49
2. Louise Stevenson, 36:02
3. Liliana Guiscardo, 39:29
4. Sabrina Warwar, 40:30
5. Kirsty Thomson, 40:32
Copyright © 2011 by World Open Water Swimming Association
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
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