Radford grabs fifth New Zealand Open Water swimming title

Kane Radford has notched up his fifth consecutive national title in the 10km New Zealand Open Water Championships at Lake Taupo today.

The Championships also provides the lifeline for swimmers to progress to the final Olympic qualifying event in Portugal in June.

Radford (Rotorua) tucked in behind Auckland swimmer Phillip Ryan for most of the race before pushing ahead in the last few laps to win in 1:56.15.

“It’s pretty good, that was the goal coming out here to try and do five in a row,” Radford said. “It’s something pretty special when you think about a stretch over five years, it’s pretty impressive, and it’s an honour to be able to come back and do it five years in a row,” he said.

After also taking honours in the Western Australia Championships in December last year Radford says he’s in a positive space for his tasks ahead.

“Swimming a 10km is so much to do with your head space and where you are mentally and to have the confidence coming off two pretty strong wins as well it’s definitely put me in the right space for my next event.

“I’m taking it race by race so I don’t want to look too far ahead. This race is now out of the way so now I move to Australian nationals where I need to finish in that top six.”

Ryan finished second just five seconds behind the winner with his fellow Waterhole clubmate Jackson Dawson third.

In the women’s 10km championship Charlotte Webby (Aquabladz New Plymouth) reclaimed her national title.

Webby led the women’s field from start to finish coming home in 2:09.31 ahead of last year’s champion Penny Hayes (St Peter’s) in 2:13.21 and Stefannie Gillespie (Zenith) in 2:14.20.

Pleased with her win today Webby is now hoping to improve on her performances in the international scene from last year.

“I didn’t have the greatest world champs, I’m really disappointed with it, so I just want to come back out and prove that I can still do it,” she said.

“It was pretty good out there today, a little bit choppy out the back and felt a little bit longer with eight laps, but it was good.”

Most of today’s 10km championship swimmers will be back in action again tomorrow for the 5km national championship event where Radford will also be out aiming for another fifth consecutive title.

The New Zealand Championships form part of the successful annual Epic Swim which has attracted approximately 650 swimmers including a significant number of internationals, competing in a range of open water swims from 100m for children to the Epic Epic 17.5km events.

Results

Men: Kane Radford (Rotorua) 1:56.15, 1; Phillip Ryan (Waterhole) 1:56.20, 2; Jackson Dawson (Waterhole) 2:02.43, 3; Matthew Scott (Enterprise) 2:04.37, 4; Sebastian Priscott (Waterhole) 2:08.53, 5.

Women: Charlotte Webby (Aquabladz New Plymouth) 2:09.31, 1; Penelope Hayes (St Peter’s) 2:13.21, 2; Stefannie Gillespie (Zenith) 2:14.20, 3; Bridget Maher (United) 2:14.21, 4; Claudia Ashby (Fairfield) 2:14.36, 5.

CAPTIONS: Kane Radford in action today.

This image is free for editorial use only. Credit: BW Media