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Competitors in Australia’s oldest open water swimming race will contest three separate races over two distances;

• The all NEW 1.6km Xstrata Nickel Dash Charity Team Swim for teams of four
• The 1.6km Xstrata Nickel Dash for solos
• The historic 4km solo Xstrata Nickel Swim Thru Perth (including “Swim With The Champ”)

Claremont Masters is proud to be able to donate part-proceeds from the 2011 Xstrata Nickel Swim Thru Perth to The Paraplegic-Quadriplegic Association of WA.

The Swim Thru Perth is an Appealathon project.

Pre-race registrations for the 2011 Xstrata Nickel Swim Thru Perth are now closed.  There will be strictly limited late entry spots available for both the 1.6km and 4km events on the day at a cost of $40 per person.  Registrations will be open from 7.30am – 8.30am at the UWA Water Sports Complex, Hackett Dr, Crawley.

If you have not been directed to the swim’s main page, please go to:

http://www.claremontmasters.org/swim-thru-perth/2011/index.html

MEDIA RELEASE

PERFECT SUMMER CONDITIONS FOR SWAN RIVER RACE

Claremont Masters Swimming Club was the proud organiser of Australia’s oldest open water swimming race, the 91^st 2010 Xstrata Nickel Swim Thru Perth held on Sunday 17^th 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 Xstrata 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.

Excellent weather and fast swimming conditions greeted the field of 180 swimmers aged from 11 to 79 years of age with Rhys Mainstone (aged 19) taking out line honours for the fourth year in the 4km event in the quick time of 43:24 minutes, followed by Jason Evans (20) in 44:38 and Tim Hewitt (36) in 44:53. The first female, for her 7^th win in this event, was Melissa Benson (aged 26) in a time of 45:08 ahead of Jenna Ward (17) in 49:11. Third female was Jaime Bowler in 49.20. Fourteen-year-old Dino Kapac was awarded the Ron Grannery Trophy for the fastest swimmer 14 years and under crossing the line in a time of 51.38.

The 2.2km Xstrata Nickel Dash featured both solo and team swimmers with the “Claremont Masters” team of Gary Bradley, Mark Barlow, Martin Lodge and Ben Bauert recording the lowest combined time. Roury Zitman (19) posted a time of 31:52 for the 2.2km course to take the first male overall and Bianca Russell (12) comfortably won the first female prize in a time of 31:56.

Event Patron, Shelley Taylor-Smith took to the water in the 4km swim accompanying the winner of the Swim With The Champ competition, Richard Hughes (47). Richard was cheered on by Shelley for the duration of the race and said, “Shelley’s encouragement resulted in my fastest Swim Thru Perth ever!”. Richard completed the course in a time of 1:16:04.

A post-race BBQ of Mt Barker Free Range Chicken Sausages held under the trees 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 raffle and BBQ will be donated to The Paraplegic-Quadriplegic Association of WA in response to the serious spinal injury suffered by a much-loved club member.

Claremont Masters Swimming Club would like to thank all the competitors, spectators and our generous event sponsors, Xstrata Nickel, Aqua Shop, UWA Sports and Coventrys for helping to make the 2010 Xstrata Nickel Swim Thru Perth an overwhelming success and a great community event.

Results for each event are available below:

4km Race

Results – 4km – Ranked

Results – Fastest Male 4km

Results – Fastest Male 4km – Age Group

Results – Fastest Female 4km

Results – Fastest Female 4km – Age Group

2.2km Xstrata Nickel Dash

Results – 2.2km – Ranked

Results – Fastest Overall 2.2km

Results – Fastest Male 2.2km – Age Group

Results – Fastest Female 2.2km – Age Group

Gary Bradley (Claremont Masters President) recently handed over a cheque for $3500 to Nigel Glass (left in photo) and Shane Yensch (right in photo) from the Para-Quad Association. The money represented the net proceeds from the Swim Thru Perth for 2009.