Race #18

The onshore wind created choppy seas and difficult swimming conditions for the 1000 metre swim in the fifth race in the Bodyline Stroke & Stride Series.

A tough race at the triathlon nationals in New Plymouth the previous weekend forced some competitors onto the sideline for this event clearing the way for Mike Brunt to stride to victory and close within one point of Hamish Carter’s outright series lead.  Blair Marton chased hard for second spot and Paul Anderson managed to hold out Rodney Gordon and Aaron Baker for third.  Only 50 seconds separated the top five men at the end of the 5 kilometre run.

In the absence of Series Leader Megan Robertson and after a string of second placings, Sue Clark won her first Stroke & Stride leading from start to finish.  Tracey Wilson in her first race this season clinched second and proud Mum Anna Dokter ran strongly for third place, jumping to third place overall in the Series.  Leslea Stapleton and Brenda Crean took fourth and fifth placings.