2011 Xstrata Nickel Swim Thru Perth
RECORD FIELD TAKES TO THE WATER IN AUSTRALIA’S OLDEST OPEN WATER SWIM
Claremont Masters Swimming Club was the proud organiser of Australia’s oldest open water swimming race, the 92nd 2011 Xstrata Nickel Swim Thru Perth held on Sunday 23 rd 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 all new 1.6km Xstrata Nickel Dash with all swimmers finishing on the banks of Matilda Bay in front of the UWA Water Sports Complex.
A record field of 253 swimmers took to the water in the two events with Rhys Mainstone (aged 20) taking out line honours for the fifth year in the 4km event blitzing the field in a time of 41:43 minutes. He was followed by Simon Huitenga (22) in 44:52 and Jason Evans (21) in 45:50. The first female was Jamie Bowler (aged 29) in a time of 49:01 ahead of Carolyn Gorrick (30) in 52:55 and Elizabeth Bellis (16) in 53:02. Twelve-year-old William Robinson was awarded the Ron Grannery Trophy for the youngest swimmer to complete the 4km course and he did so in a very speedy time of 54:20 and clearly has a very bright future ahead of him.
The 1.6km Xstrata Nickel Dash Charity Team Swim featured 8 corporate teams with the Ernst & Young “S” team of Danelle Berzins, Yolanda Le Vaux, Rhys Bradley and Sam Cordin recording the lowest combined time to take first place ahead of the Ernst & Young “P” and St Barbara Ltd teams. Solo results saw Bianca Russell (13) post a time of 21:15:36 for the 1.6km course to be the first female and first overall with Paul Mackay (32) the first male in a time of 21:15:82, just 46 100ths of a second behind Bianca. Second male across the line was Ben Elliott (20) in 22:24 and second female Brittany Russell (19) in 23:26.
Event Patron and seven-time World Marathon Swimming Champ, Shelley Taylor-Smith took to the water in the 4km swim accompanying the winner of the Swim With The Champ competition, Fleur Creeper (32). Fleur was cheered on by Shelley for the duration of the race.
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 with in excess of $3500 being raised this year.
Claremont Masters Swimming Club would like to thank all the competitors, spectators and our generous event sponsors, Xstrata Nickel, Channel 9’s Appealathon, Aqua Shop, UWA Sports and Coventrys for helping to make the 2011 Xstrata Nickel Swim Thru Perth an overwhelming success and a great community event.
Race Results
Female 1.6km Age Group Results
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