Swimmers take on the lake
Photos by Stevie Ingram
Alex Dunkley backed up his win in the Huka River Swim last weekend with first place in the Men’s Open section of the Across the Lake Swim
They came from everywhere for the annual Across the Lake Swim.
Committee member Stu Pickmere said the 4.2km swim was a different challenge for many of the competitors who were used to open water races in the ocean.
“There is an absence of the longer wave swells which is part of swimming in the oceans and sometimes the short chop experienced in Lake Taupō associated with a lower buoyancy makes for different experiences.
“One Auckland swimmer sent me a text on Saturday evening saying ‘Thanks to you and the team for such a great event this morning. Will definitely be a highlight of the year for me.’ I guess that’s why we enjoy putting these events on.”
About 200 people did the Across the Lake Swim and another 60 did shorter distances out of Four Mile Bay, where the main race ended.
Results of 4.2km swim
Males Open
1st: Alex Dunkley, Roskill Swimming Club, 52 min, 31 sec and winner of
the Keehan Family Trophy for fastest time.
2nd: Axel Wohlfarth, Auckland, 54:35
3rd: Jack Revill, Auckland, 57:01
Females Open
1st: Fenella Langridge, Great Britain (Ironwoman), 57:02
2nd: Hannah Berry, Tauranga (Ironwoman), 57:11
3rd: Jo Matheson, Whangamata, 1:08:14
Junior Male
1st: Harry Pool, Taupō Swimming Club, 1:04:05
2nd: Travis Welch, Taupō, 1:12:01
Junior Female
1st: Hannah Alderton, Palmerston North, 1:10:44
2nd: Ziva Bunker, Whanganui Swimming Club, 1:10:46
3rd: Polly George, Auckland, 1:24:14
