Race #133

The second event in the Structured Finance Stroke & Stride Series blew into town on the back of a very stiff onshore breeze.  These conditions made the swim course nearly unworkable as a northerly hammers straight onto the beach at Mission Bay and the day’s strongest gusts were recorded right at the same time as the men were starting.  So with waves crashing on the beach, rogue swells creating havoc with the swim buoys and that unceasing wind pummeling all in sight, the men’s field battled the elements and did their best to navigate the course.  One swimmer is well known for reveling in this sort of stuff and at the head of the pack it was Brent Foster cresting wave after wave and surfing back into the beach with the chasers doing their best to hang on.

Whether the women’s field gained anything from observing the men swimming first is debatable, for many it was just a case of completing the swim leg without too much thought for speed, elapsed time, race tactics etc.  This was one of those days when anyone just completing the course should be applauded.  Rebecca Clarke led the way in the swim at Race #1 and again here she was at the head of the field by swim’s end with the chasers strung out behind her.

One of the delights of running along the Auckland waterfront is the uninterrupted view of the sea, when this is not so delightful is when there’s no shelter from the same wind that had just played havoc with your swim.  Punching through the wind at the head of the field was Brent Foster until he was caught by the fleet footed Csaba Kuttor who managed to get his nose in front as they closed on the finish line.  Five years ago Csaba Kuttor was part of a two-man invasion from Hungary who mixed it up with the locals at the head of the Stroke & Stride fields all summer long.  Now after honing his skills competing internationally he returns to Auckland to run away from this classy competition and record his first ever Stroke & Stride victory.  Just three seconds behind came the legendary Brent Foster this time turning the tables on James Elvery and Liam Scopes.  Fifth place went to an athlete racing his first Stroke & Stride, Peter Bajai also representing Hungary.

After the excitement of that unexpected result it was left to Carmel Hanly to return some order to the results sheet which she promptly did backing up her win from a fortnight ago with another victory.  The burden of being defending Champion hasn’t done anything to dent Carmel’s form and she looks to be faster than ever as she hangs close on the swim leg before unleashing a run that no one can match.  Recording her best finish ever saw Gina Ferguson cross the line in second only eight seconds adrift.  Anna Hamilton took the third podium spot heading home Jacqui Seebold and Nathalie Bernard.

The current points in the Series Grand Prix sees Carmel Hanly striding to a clear lead and setting herself up for a great defense of her title with Elizabeth Orchard the closest challenger.  Former multiple times (1993/1994 and 1999/2000) Series Champion Marisa Carter is enjoying a renaissance of sorts with a firm grip on third place.  Liam Scopes and James Elvery and Brent Foster are providing all the entertainment as right now this flying triumvirate are sharing a three-way tie at the head of the men’s Grand Prix and we’ve never seen that before in the long, long history of Stroke & Stride.