Hazelwood Open Water
1km, 3km, 5km & 10km
17th/18th October

Gippsland rains departed in time for the 19th running of the Hazelwood Open Water Swim. We welcomed a large group of junior swimmers to their first Open water event as well as many veterans - some travelling from as far away as South Australia, NSW and the Northern Territory. Saturday saw the running of the 1km, 3km and the State Championship event, the 5km event, whilst the State Championship 10km event was held on Sunday morning. A record 379 competitors took part in the two day carnival.

Forty 10 - 12 year old boys and girls (half of the total competitors) took part in the 1km event with Madeline Scott (16.23) from Wyndham Sharks and Dean Wilson (15:43) of Bayside taking out the gold medals in that junior age group. Fastest male competitor was Jack Bianca (15) from North West Aquatic who finished the course in 15:36. Fastest female was Jessica Banks (14) from Monash University finishing in 15:05. Fastest Master Swimmer (over 20) Jeff Giles (45) of the Peninsula Pirates who swam a 16.18. Matthew Stringer, Brian Ford, Andrew Legge, Allison Triggs, Liz Kenney, Sally McLean, Alessia and Davide Colombo, Wayne Irving and Thomas Morrison gave the locals something to cheer about in the 1km event.

In the 3km event, again, there was a great showing from the future of Open Water swimming with 58 swimmers aged 15 and under. Fastest swimmer on the course was 14 year old Joel Simondson from Bayside who finished the 3km in 43.39. He was closely followed by the fastest female, Hannah Edwards (17) from South Australian Club Henley and Grange who finished in 44.26. Fastest Masters swimmer was veterans of the course, Jeff Norman (49) who swam a 46.46. Locals Ben McLean, Simon Eaton, Mark Allen, Alan Jenkinson, Stephen and Frank McShane took part in the 3km event. There were a record number 113 competitors in this event.

The 5km swim saw 131 competitors from 13 - 57 take part. Fastest competitor was 18 year old Andrew Roberts from Maribyrnong who swam the 5km in 1 hour and 22 seconds (1:00.22). Andrew was the winner of the 17/18 years event. The winner of the Open age group was Scott Jackson from Sans Souci Sea Devils in NSW in a time of 1:01.07. Stacey Hansford of Bankstown Sports NSW was the fastest female finishing in 1:02.47 Stacey won the Open Section of the 5km event. Several swimmers achieved National Qualifying times on the day.

The 10km event drew 49 competitor and some great competition in calm conditions. There was nothing separating 8 competitors at the 5km mark, but Max Thorn (17) from Surrey Park just held off 5km winner Andrew Roberts to be the fastest swimmer, winning the open section in 2 hours, three minutes and 35 seconds. Roberts clocked 2:03.42 to win the 17/18 section. The fastest female was Stacey Hansford of NSW, winner of the 5km race, in a time of 2:10.15.

Congratulations to all competitors for some great racing over the weekend. Terrific to see so many junior swimmers and a lot of swimmers returning each year. Next year marks the 20th year of the Hazelwood Open Water (Sauna Swim). We look forward to hosting you at the Pondage then!

Certificates printed with names and times will be sent to clubs for distribution.

Full results:

2009 Results 1km.xls 3km.xls 5km.xls 10km.xls
1km.pdf 3km.pdf 5km.pdf 10km.pdf
10km with lap splits (unofficial - taken at turn) coaching data

queries to janem@netspace.net.au

results from 2008

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