Radford And Webby Win Ocean Swim In Wellington

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Radford And Webby Win Sovereign Capital Classic Ocean Swim In Wellington

Rotorua teenager Kane Radford has made a triumphant return to New Zealand winning the Sovereign New Zealand Ocean Swim ‘Capital Classic’ in Wellington today, with New Plymouth’s Charlotte Webby taking line honours in the elite women’s category.

Radford recently returned from training in the United States to make his first appearance in the Sovereign New Zealand Ocean Swim Series for 2009/2010 and finished 28 seconds clear of the current series leader Bryn Murphy.

A stunning sunny day greeted the record number of swimmers lined up for the Sovereign Capital Classic which takes place off Freyberg Beach in Wellington heading around the landmark fountain and lighthouse. As well as the feature 2.8km race, the event also included a 750m beginners ocean swim and the 200m Sovereign Oceankids for children aged 10 years and under.

Kane Radford (19), who previously won the series in 2006/07 and 2007/08, led the race from start to finish, but says he wasn’t aware of his solid lead until well into the race. “My strategy has always been to get out there at the start and stay there,” he said, adding that his training in the United States has given him some new pre-race strategies.

“I’ve learned so much over there and am using some ideas and they seem to be working.”

Radford added said he felt very comfortable with his performance today, even overcoming a few issues with his cap and goggles. “My cap started to ride up out by the lighthouse and I reached around to pull it off and one of the straps of my goggles came off, but I managed to catch them before they sank.”

Last year Radford came second overall in the Sovereign New Zealand Ocean Swim Series behind Australian Trent Grimsey and has confirmed that he will be competing in the remaining three events of the 2009/2010 series and is hoping to take the championship crown.

Second-paced men’s elite swimmer Bryn Myrphy (Dunedin) admits he had a poor start in today’s event which cost him valuable time and placing, but made a stunning recovery to finish behind Radford.

“I had a terrible start and got stuck in the pack and lost my bearings. By the second marker I was a long way back, so I was very surprised to recover and finish second to Kane.

“I definitely need to work on my start, but I am pleased with my performance and looking forward to the rest of the series. It’s great having Kane back in the series – it certainly gives me a challenge.”

The women’s elite category was won by race favourite and last year’s series runner-up Charlotte Webby of New Plymouth with local teenager Georgia Hind in second place.

It’s Webby’s second appearance and win in the series after she took line honours in Auckland’s Harbour Crossing in November.

“I was really happy with the swim. I went out there and stuck with the guys, then swam my own course at the end.”

Webby has confirmed she will be competing in other events in the series and is chasing the series crown.

The next event in the Sovereign New Zealand Ocean Swim Series is the Sovereign Corsair Classic in Christchurch on Saturday 27 February 2010.

Full results will be available later today at www.oceanswim.co.nz

Sovereign Capital Classic, Wellington

Race Three in the Sovereign NZ Ocean Swim Series

Elite Male

1 Kane Radford (Rotorua) 33:49

2 Bryn Murphy (Dunedin) 34:17

3 Casey Glover (Wellington) 34:33

4 Ben Campbell-Macdonald (Wellington) 34:38

5 Stefan Talbot (Auckland) 35:04

Elite Female

1 Charlotte Webby (New Plymouth) 35:29

2 Georgia Hind (Wellington) 37:32

3 Brenda Russell (Auckland) 38:04

4 Nicole Rosewarne (Auckland) 39:04

5 Ivana Giacon (Wellington) 41:37

Sovereign NZ Ocean Swim Series, 2009/10

Sovereign Corsair Classic, Christchurch: Saturday 27 February 2010

Sovereign Sand to Surf, Mt Maunganui: Saturday 27 March 2010

Sovereign King of the Bays, North Shore City, Auckland: Saturday 17 April 2010

ends

© Scoop Media