Swim Thru Perth 2008 Results & Press Release
SPLASH ‘N’ DASH IN SWAN ATTRACTS SWIMMERS YOUNG AND OLD
Claremont Masters Swimming Club was the proud organiser of Australia’s oldest open water swimming race, the 89th 2008 Jubilee Mines Swim Thru Perth held on Sunday 20th January in the picturesque Swan River. In addition to the traditional 4km race starting at Barrack St, swimmers also took to the water in the 2.2km Jubilee Mines Nickel Dash from the Old Swan Brewery with all swimmers finishing on the banks of Matilda Bay in front of the UWA Water Sports Complex.
Strong easterly winds and choppy water made conditions challenging for the field of 215 swimmers aged from 8 to 82 years of age with Rhys Mainstone (aged 17) taking out line honours in the 4km event in a time of 43.25 mins, followed by Nicholas Cuthbert (24) in 45.55 and James MacFarlan (15) in 47.13. The first female was Melissa Benson (24) in a time of 47.06 edging out Jaime Bowler(26) who came in at 48.43. Third female was Jenna Ward (15) in 51.27. Thirteen-year-old Jessica Lant was awarded the Ron Grannery Trophy for the fastest swimmer under 14 years crossing the line in a time of 55.09.
The Jubilee Mines Nickel Dash featured both solo and team swimmers with the UWA Team of Chris Winby, Nat Benjunavatra, Amity Campbell and Peter Peeling easily accounting for the competition in the team category. Storm Zitman (17)posted a time of 30.31 for the 2.2km course to take the first male overall and Jessica Spittal (13) narrowly won the first female prize in a time of 33.19.
A post-race BBQ of Mt Barker Free Range Chicken Sausages held under the tress of the Matilda Bay Reserve was enjoyed by the competitors and spectators. As part of Claremont Masters Swimming Club’s commitment to contribute to the community proceeds from the event raffle and BBQ will be donated to the Dr Louisa Alessandri Memorial Fund which assists tertiary students with disabilities, and The Superfins Swimming Club for swimmers with disabilities, seven of whom completed the swim this year.
Claremont Masters Swimming Club would like to thank all the competitors, spectators and our generous event sponsors, Jubilee Mines, Aqua Shop, UWA Sports, The Laminex Group and Flourish Magazine for helping to make the 2008 Jubilee Mines Swim Thru Perth an overwhelming success and a great community event.
For further information on the 2008 Jubilee Mines Swim Thru Perth please contact Elena Nesci, Event Coordinator, on 0415 314 082 or at elena.nesci@ozemail.com.au.
THIS IS A GREAT SWIM IF YOU’RE PLANNING TO DO A SOLO TO ROTTNEST.
IT HAS ALL THE MAKINGS OF A TOUGH SWIM : CHOP, SALT WATER, JELLYFISH, LOW VISIBILITY
GET IN THERE AND DO IT