Brother and sister win 2km ocean swim at Hobie
SUNDAY was a great start to the swimming season for the Black family, as both Slater and Paige won their respective 2km ocean swim races in the seventh round of the aQuellé Ocean Racing Series at Hobie Beach.
Pearson High pupil Slater Black, 15, caused the upset of the season when he pipped unbeaten series favourite Daniel Jones by just 22 seconds and then watched his sister Paige, 13, do the same to Chane de Jager.
Jones was last beaten in the Ocean Racing Series this weekend in 2015 when his brother Jason got the better of him.
Slater has enjoyed an exceptional open water season so far, which could have a fairytale ending next month should he win the SPAR River Mile title and emulate his mother, Joannie Coetzer, who won this historic race in 1995 and ’96.
Another bumper crowd took part in good beach conditions.
Pearson headboy Ian Venter remains unbeaten in the 1km swim, taking round seven honours ahead of Cole Craig and EP Olympic distance triathlon champion Keegan Cooke.
In the women’s 1km race, Kirsten Marriott beat Hannah Counihan and Rebecca Newman.
Flippie van der Spuy was third in the 2km swim behind Daniel and Slater.
Natalie Tissink was third in the women’s race behind Chane and Paige.
Swimming legend Kevin Richards won the 3km swim from Jared Jordan, with Cape Town swimmer Andrew Turner in third place.
Woodridge College pupil Amica de Jager won the women’s 3km swim from Hannah Haswell and Idelette Olivier.
In the 400m swim it was again young Tiara Finnis who won the women’s race from Megan Hough and Paige West.
Divan Fourie won the men’s race from Charl de Lange and Tristan Harding.
In the 5km beach run, Andrew Armstrong beat Xolisa Tshona and James Barnardt.
Tara Sacke beat Sanet Owen and Dawn Denysschen.
In the 5km beach walk, Grobbie Grobler won, ahead of Juan Slabbert and Heiri Schuck.
Taryn Ferreira took the women’s gold ahead of Mile Vermaak and Athasanda Makanjana.
Three rounds of season 12 remain, the next taking place on Sunday February 12.
For further information see www.zsports.co.za