George O’Brien Cuts Through Chop At State Capital Classic
Australian George O’Brien took a flight to New Zealand and it was all worth the effort and expense. With his victory in the State Capital Classic yesterday, O’Brien burst into contention in the State New Zealand Ocean Swim Series.The 22-year-old swam to an impressive victory in round three in Wellington by fighting off strong challenges from New Zealand’s Nathan Capp and 2012 London Olympian Dylan Dunlop-Barrett in a race that was shortened from 3.3 km to 2 km because of strong winds and choppy conditions.
After a strong start from O’Brien, the trio battled together from the 500m mark before O’Brien shot out near the end, sprinting up the beach at Oriental Bay to claim the victory. “That wasn’t an easy race,” he said. “That wind and chop made it was really difficult to find a rhythm, but every point counts in this series, so I’m really happy to come away with the win.”
Pushing O’Brien all the way was Tauranga swimmer Capp who last month broke Kane Radford’s New Zealand 1500m freestyle record by more than five seconds. “I’m always disappointed when I don’t win,” Capp said. “But I can’t be unhappy finishing second to someone like George, who just put in that attack at the end. I couldn’t stay with him.”
It was the second time O’Brien has won this race. He was victorious in 2012, before missing last year after having shoulder surgery. He joins Kane Radford and another Australian, Jarrod Poort, as race winners in the series so far. Each swimmer’s leading three efforts count towards the series, with double points on offer at the final race in April, the State King of the Bays. Both Radford and Poort decided not to swim this round.
2013 Capital Classic Results:
1. George O’Brien (Queensland) 20:22
2. Nathan Capp (Tauranga) 20:25 (+0:03)
3. Dylan Dunlop-Barrett (New Plymouth) 20:27 (+0:05_
4. Phillip Ryan (Auckland) 20:50 (+0:28)
5. Liam Albery (Wellington) 21:01 (+0:39_
2013/2014 New Zealand Ocean Swim Series Standings to date:
1. Phillip Ryan 296.85
2. Jarrod Poort 199.81
3. Dylan Dunlop-Barrett 199.60
4. Nathan Capp 199.54
5. Ben Ruback 189.93
For more information, visit www.oceanswim.co.nz.
Copyright © 2014 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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