Right On In Christchurch

Top open water swimmer Kane Radford and Olympic backstroker Melissa Ingram both paid attention, dug deep and won the fourth leg of the New Zealand Ocean Swim Series in Corsair Bay in Lyttelton Harbour at the 2.8K Corsair Bay Classic today in Christchurch.

There was a bit of a mix-up about the course layout.

Athletes who did not keep the turn buoys to their right were disqualified, which included a few of the top competitors. "We got a bit lazy at the pre-race briefing and must have been talking – and I was punished accordingly," said Australian David Browne.

Impressively, Melissa was the fourth overall finisher in the race. "I was surprised to hear that [I won] at the finish line, but I did listen at the briefing and I always make sure I know the course well," said Melissa.

A local television news report on the disqualifications in Corsair Bay Classic is here.

Despite the disqualification, the New Zealand Ocean Swim Series continues to take its successful ocean swimming tour on the road throughout New Zealand.

At the first leg of the Series at the 2.8K Sovereign Harbour Crossing in Quinton park, Bayswater to Te Wero Island, Viaduct, there were 1,177 finishers. At the second leg of the Series at the 3.3K Russell to Paihia Swim in Quinton park, Bayswater to Te Wero Island, Viaduct, there were 595 finishers. At the third leg of the Series at the 2.8K Capital Classic in Wellington, there were 550 finishers. At the fourth leg here in Corsair Bay in Lyttelton Harbour, Christchurch, there were 385 finishers with two more legs to go before the Series awards its overall winners.

Men's Results:
1. Kane Radford, 28:49
2. Colin Braund, 30:09
3. Bryan Rhodes, 31:06
4. Jacob Barry, 32:01
5. Henry Norris, 32:01

Women's Results:
1. Melissa Ingram, 31:14
2. Georgia Hind, 32:14
3. Brenda Russell, 32:23
4. Samantha Harnett, 32:28
5. Kate Medder, 33:18

Photo of Melissa Ingram at the AIMES Awards where she won the Award for Excellence.

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