EXCELLENT WEATHER ATTRACTS A BIG FIELD TO 2015 PAYCE CRONULLA SHARK ISLAND SWIM
- Cronulla Beach, Sydney:
This year's PAYCE Cronulla Shark Island Swim and the shorter stage PAYCE Cronulla Beach Fun Swim attracted a total of 783 starters, the largest field of starters for the past four years.
In perfect weather conditions, Carmelo Pesce, Deputy Mayor of Cronulla flagged away competitors in the PAYCE Cronulla Shark Island event in two waves with the fastest group of swimmers leading the charge down the beach.
Representing the events' principal sponsor, PAYCE, was Chris Ryan who was joined by special guest and Olympian, Jane Flemming to get the Fun Swim underway an hour earlier.
To get the Fun Swim underway the events' principal sponsor PAYCE was represented by Chris Ryan who was joined by special guest Olympian, Jane Flemming.
An hour later, under superb weather conditions, competitors for the main affair, the PAYCE Cronulla Shark Island Swim, were under starters rules from Deputy Mayor, Carmelo Pesce. The competitors were flagged away and the lead group made the charge down the beach to the water.
To the winners go the accolades...
The one kilometre PAYCE Cronulla Beach Fun Swim was won by Lachlan Vitnell, with Samantha Kennedy the first woman to cross the line in fifth place outright. Jesse Goodyear and Taylar Puskaric were first back to the beach in their respective men's and women's divisions in the 2.3 kilometre PAYCE Cronulla Shark Island Swim, echoing their winning achievements from last year.
Jesse Goodyear, who became the event's youngest winner last year at the age of 15, came home ahead of a field of 465 finishers and improved on last year's time by nearly one minute, finishing the swim in 27:54 minutes. Second place outright was Jay Turness with a time of 28:07 followed sharply in third place by Alex Clarke with a time of 28:12
Unprecedented performances in the senior ranks went to Georgene McKenzie-Hicks, the event's oldest competitor at age 87, who completed the Shark Island swim in a very respectable time of 56:14 minutes, beating 34 competitors to the post and improving on her time last year by two and a half minutes. Also worthy of recognition for tenacity and a stellar performance was 64 year-year old Paul Croft, a four times Paralympian. Despite three knee reconstructions and a serious bike accident in recent years, Paul, an arm amputee, completed the 2.3 kilometre swim in 67:07 minutes to advance on last year's time by nearly 10 minutes.
The first woman home, Taylar Puskaric completed the course seventh outright with a time of 29:41 minutes, leading home a field of 155 women. Second to finish in the women's division was Emily Lavender, with a time of 31:02 minutes.
Brian Boyd congratulates winners of the PAYCE Cronulla Shark Island Swim
PAYCE's Managing Director, Brian Boyd congratulated each of the winners and thanked Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club and its body of volunteers for making the day an incredible success.
Brian Boyd congratulates winners of the PAYCE Cronulla Shark Island Swim
PAYCE's Managing Director, Brian Boyd congratulated each of the winners and thanked Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club and its band of volunteers for making the day a great success.
"Without doubt, this is one of the best and most enjoyable community events in the Shire and PAYCE is extremely pleased to continue its association as part of a long term sponsorship arrangement with the Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club," Brian Boyd said.
"There is no better organised family-oriented event of its type anywhere, nor a better venue. Once again, Cronulla excelled with a magnificent day, wonderful weather and safe conditions in the water," he said.
Dominic Sullivan on hand at the podium...
PAYCE General Manager, Dominic Sullivan thanked track and field Olympian, Jane Flemming for accepting an invitation to be a special guest of PAYCE on the day and to participate in the official proceedings.
"Jane is a director of the highly successful free Live Life Get Active community program currently running at several locations across the Shire, including one in Sylvania sponsored by PAYCE," he explained.
"PAYCE sponsored events in the Shire, such as the Cronulla Shark Island Swim, the Cronulla Beach Fun Swim, the Live Life Get Active program and the Sutherland2Surf Fun Run & Walk all promote community involvement and good health and fitness.
"PAYCE has been creating vibrant and healthy communities within its residential projects since 1978 and our sponsorship of these events is an opportunity to reach out to the wider community and help achieve similar positive outcomes.
"We are looking forward to continuing to work with the local community as we progress our project on the Kirrawee brickpit site, which will transform the area into a mix of residential, retail and commercial businesses along with a large park for all the community to enjoy," Dominic Sullivan said.
And for the full Results of the PAYCE Cronulla Shark Island Swim...
A full list of the 2015 PAYCE Cronulla Shark Island Swim and the 2015 Cronulla Beach Fun Swim competitors, their times and placings is available at www.sharkislandswim.com.au.
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