Aquathon news 10th Jan 2012.
On Tuesday night 40 competitors returned to the pool for the recommencement of the weekly Aquathon competition. After a two week hiatus, the athletes greeted the starter with a mixture of reluctance, fear and (for some) a slightly guilty look courtesy of too much Christmas and New Year cheer. What was comforting to all was the fact that all the pre-break fitness was not completely lost with most competitors recording solid times.
First to start was the novice distance race (100m/2km) with girls outnumbering boys 6 to 3. In the boys first home was Tom Toparis followed by Jordan Gann and (in his first podium for the year) Tyler Dunbar in third. In the Girls Holly Beard was first in , followed by Madeline Charles and young mum Kim Gann. Jaime Craig and Ashleigh Croker came in split by only a second and home last but not least was another mum , Kim Mottley who is having her first season in this sport after also completing her first City to surf earlier this year.
In the 400/4 intermediate division Jacqui Oberg returned to the winners circle followed in second by Dempsee Banwell and third was the ever improving Andrea Ottley who was also first finished under handicap conditions. Vanessa Toparis , Olivia Stutchbury and Patricia Kennedy rounded out the field. In the men’s Richard Toparis was again first , second was the most improved swimmer in the field Dillon Beard and third fastest was Patrick Penning whose performance saw him first home under handicap restrictions, belying his look of complete disinterest before the race.
In the long distance race (600m/6km) , Nadine Moroney streeted the females division with over 4 minutes separating her from Carmen Jeffery in second and Charlie McCormack third. Long standing members and club Matriarchs Barb Beard and Elaine Pugh (both Grannies) as well as Nik Christian all continue to put in solid efforts which are a source of encouragement to all the younger competitors. In the men’s division fastest (at last) was Craig Johnson ahead of Gavin Moroney second and third was a portly Kerry Baxter (who, thanks to a year of self indulgence, has blossomed to a hefty 68 kilos). Close behind in fourth was Andy Oberg only four seconds adrift. Rod Smith showed no signs of yuletide baggage recording one of his fastest times of the year and coming in first under handicap conditions.
Coming up on the 18th March is the clubs first Triathlon in Goulburn for three years , more details will be to hand in coming weeks ..
