Every South African a Swimmer

Day 01 of the SA National Open Water Swimming Championships

Day 01 of the SA National Open Water Swimming Championships
Jeffrey’s Bay, Saturday, 2nd March 2019 - Mzansi’s top talent as well as an array of international stars showed off their skills during the first day of the SA National Open Water Swimming Championships at the Marina Martinique in Jeffrey’s Bay.

KZN’s Michelle Weber, Abi Meder and Robyn Kinghorn celebrated their well deserved first, second and third place in the 10km race, finishing in 2:05:37.05, 2:07:44.36 and 2:07:45.45, respectively.

In the men’s 10km event, Israel’s Matan Roditi and Idan Mordel claimed the top two spots in 1:52:40.24 and 1:52:50.39, with SA’s Chad Ho returning to the water with a bronze medal winning performance in 1:52:51.07.

In the 12-14 age group 3km race, Cobus Botes, Keegan Wright and Sven van der Linde made up the medal podium in 39:11.06, 39:15.90 and 39:46.95, while Mitchel Engelke, Connor Buck and Dennis de Villiers won the 15-16 event in 35:25.58, 35:25.88 and 35:32.19, respectively.

The gold in the 17-18 3km category race went to Hein van Tonder in 35:34.51, ahead of Jetro Piso in 36:29.44 and Bernard Wolfaardt in 36:43.37, while Jacey Bekker topped the 19-30 age group in 38:03.91 followed by Juan van der Hoogen in 38:57.46 and Roberto Marchi in 39:52.52.

On the ladies’ side, Tammy Greenwood, Scarlett Botes and Teegan Pio were victorious in their 12-14 age group category, clocking 40:21.53, 40:25.10 and 40:32.09, while Leigh McMorran, Catherine van Rensburg and Hannah Murray made up the 15-16 medal podium in 37:13.82, 37:48.34 and 38:21.35, respectively.

Tory Earle (37:58.67), Kaitlyn Albertyn (38:17.72) and Jordyn Minifie (39:36.46) won the 17-18 race, with the medals in the 19-30 category going to Samantha Randle in 37:13.45, Jessica Canter in 40:25.09 and Danielle Luyt in 42:59.27.

This year’s competition also doubles as the official qualifier for the 18th FINA World Championships in Gwangju, Korea from 22nd July to 2nd August, and the top two athletes in the 5 and 10km races will be considered for selection by Swimming South Africa.

The SA National Open Water Swimming Championships conclude tomorrow with the 5km race starting at 09h00.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Swimming South Africa

011 404 2480

Swimming South Africa is the governing body of aquatics in South Africa.

Its objective is to encourage the practice of aquatic disciplines for all in South Africa with the purpose of promoting swimming as a life skill through Learn To Swim programmes; providing healthy exercise to South Africans of all ages and races; recruiting recreational swimmers to compete in the various competitions; and promoting competition and athlete development to the highest level. Swimming South Africa is kindly supported by SASCOC, National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, Arena, Sport & Recreation SA and Rand Water.