Swimmers exit the water and race to the finish line
TriniView.com Reporters
Recorded: September 23, 2007
Posted: October 04, 2007
The Hyundai Maracas Open Water Classic 2007 came off at Maracas Bay on Sunday 23rd September, 2007, on a brilliant sunny day. Organised by the Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago, the competition featured two separate courses. The first course was the junior course of 650 metres for competitors under thirteen years old, while the second course featured competitors, over the age of thirteen, who had to swim 3000 metres across the Maracas Bay.
View of the junior swimmers at Maracas Bay
In the junior category it was eleven year old Joshua Changar and twelve year old Kimberlee John- Williams who tied for overall winner in a blazing time of 7 minutes and 1 second. Joshua Romany and Keegan Boison were second and third among the boys, while among the girls, Jessica Stephenson and Theana Hay copped the honours for second and third place. The top ten male and female finishers received prizes. In addition, eight year old Jewel Mulrain was awarded for being the top eight year old female swimmer while eight year old Gabriel Browne won the same age award among the boys. Katherine Keane and Jabari Baptiste were also awarded for being the top female and male finishers in the 9-10 age group. In all, seventy-four kids braved the often choppy waters to complete the course.
Derek Faria presents the overall Champion's trophy to Jesse Mendes
In the senior category it was foreign swimmer Jesse Mendes who convincingly won the race, topping a field of one hundred and thirty (130) competitors. He shattered the previous record of 35 minutes 46 second set by John Littlepage with a blistering time of 34 minutes and 18 seconds. Joel Sankar (35:14.5) and Christopher Buffong (35:24.2) were second and third respectively. One hundred and thirty (130) swimmers participated in the senior 3000 metre course.
 | | Nathania La Pierre receives the trophy for being the overall Champion female swimmer
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Among the females, fifteen year old Nathania La Pierre was the top swimmer amongst the females in a winning time of 40 minutes 21 seconds, just a mere 7 seconds faster than second placed thirteen year old, Renee Gordon. Fourteen year old Makayla Armstrong was third in a time of 42 minutes and 26 seconds. The top ten senior male and female finishers received awards.
A number of special awards were also given according to various age categories and other criteria. Among these, Brian Saunders was awarded the prize for top Tobago swimmer, fifty-five year old Clara Beron won the 55-59 age group award and seventy-eight year old Kenny Hosein, who was the oldest person to complete the course, won an award for being the top swimmer in the 75-99 year old category.
President of the Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago, Wilfred Espinet, thanked all those who participated in the event and remarked that the new record set by Jesse Mendes should challenge local swimmers to raise their standards. Also addressing the gathering was Derek Faria, General Manager of sponsor company Neal and Massey Group, who congratulated the participants and praised the swimming association for a well-organized event. Indeed, the event was well-organized, with the races generally starting on time, and the results and times being quickly generated, printed and made available to participants and the public via the electronic timing system.
Hyundai Maracas Open Water Classic 2007 in pictures:
www.triniview.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=213153
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