Both the men’s and women’s elite races came down to the wire at the British Gas Great East Swim yesterday at Alton Water reservoir near Ipswich, England, delighting the crowds and thousands of others who gathered to participate in the first 1-mile swim of the series.
World 10K champion Keri-Anne Payne just out-touched Czech Republic’s Jana Pechanova in the women’s elite heat after a shoulder-to-shoulder battle throughout the entire race. Cassie Patten captured third.
“I’m delighted to have won. It was a great race. I just tried to take it as easy as I could and then put my head down for the last 50 meters and go for it.”
Belgium’s Tom Vangeneugden was similarly touched out by Australian Ky Hurst after leading for much of the way. Ky made a decisive break with 100 meters to go and hung on for a great win with fellow Aussie Brendan Capell drafting behind for third.
“It’s a great feeling to have won. Tom and I were neck and neck for pretty much the whole race and I was glad that I had saved my legs for a real push at the end. This is a fantastic event. Swimming is really strong in Australia, but we don’t really have an event on this scale with so many people and such a great atmosphere. I’m competing in the other Great Swims this summer and I can’t wait.”
Top Women’s Results:
1. Keri-Anne Payne (£1,000)
2. Jana Pechanova (£750)
3. Cassie Patten (£500)
4. Katy Whitfield (£250)
5. Kaleigh Dawson (£100)
6. Aynsley Heseltine
7. Silvie Rybarova
8. Camilla Hattersley
9. Heidi George
10. Alice McCall
Top Men’s Results:
1. Ky Hurst (£1,000)
2. Tom Vangeneugden (£750)
3. Brendan Capell (£500)
4. Alfie Howes (£250)
5. Petar Stoychev (£100)
6. Jan Posmourny
7. Lukas Jachno
8. Cameron Smith
9. Aydin Berki
10. Lawrence Lowman
Copyright © 2010 by Steven Munatones